Eagles battle desperate Maroons

Ateneo seeks to move within a victory of an elimination round sweep and an outright finals berth as it tangles with a desperate University of the Philippines squad on Wednesday in UAAP Season 93 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles are gunning for a 13th straight victory in the 4 p.m. clash with the Fighting Maroons, who are trying to stay alive in the Final Four race.

It will be an uphill climb for the Maroons, who need to win their last two games and hope that FEU does not go beyond seven wins to force a playoff for the last postseasons spot.

UP coach Bo Perasol is relishing the challenge for his squad, which could also see itself eliminated with a loss to Ateneo.

“What a way for us to end our season with a win against a team without a loss,” said Perasol, who is looking to steer UP to the Final Four for the first time in 20 years. “That’s a very tall order, but then again, we have to play. Who knows, they might have a bad game against us.”

Far Eastern U goes up against National U at 2 p.m. in a match with huge playoff repercussions.

A victory by the Tamaraws, coupled by an Ateneo win over UP in the second game, will seal fourth spot for FEU, which is a full game ahead of the Fighting Maroons with a 6-6 record.

The Tamaraws are coming off a 79-63 over University of the East last Sunday, the same day the Maroons dropped a 70-86 decision to Adamson.

“It was a good morale booster for us heading into the homestretch,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela, who got a big game from guard Jasper Parker against the Warriors.