It will be defending champion San Beda going up against an overseas-sharpened Ateneo for the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup crown after both squads bumped off their semifinal rivals Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Ateneo muscled its way past Far Eastern U in a defensive battle, leaning on a huge shot from Isaac Go to trigger a big endgame run for a 50-38 victory in the first Final Four duel.
Later in the night, San Beda outlasted St. Benilde, 78-71, to keep its title-retention bid afloat.
The two teams tangle for the crown on Saturday.
Needing to protect a 74-71 lead down the stretch, the Red Lions made four free throws in the final 20.8 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
“The boys did a good job today and hopefully we are going to be ready for Ateneo (on Saturday),” San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez said.
In a game where buckets were tough to find, Go drained a triple with 7:19 to play as Ateneo tore away from a deadlock at 31 to grab a 50-36 cushion.
“The players gathered themselves at halftime and played our normal system in the second half,” Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga said.
Ateneo last made the title series of this tournament in 2011.
Up 54-53 entering fourth frame, San Beda unloaded a quick 12-5 spurt to build some cushion, 66-58, 4:12 to play.
Foreign players Donald Tankoua and Toba Eugene had 14 points apiece for San Beda.
Justin Gutang led the Blazers with 22 markers
The Tamaraws were in control in the first half, leading by as many as nine points, 18-9. But the Blue Eagles used a 12-4 run to close the gap at the break, 22-21.
Ateneo again flaunted its balanced offense with seven players producing at least five points, led by Thirdy Ravena’s seven. Angelo Kouame added just six points but grabbed 15 boards.
It was another bitter loss for FEU at the hands of a familiar tormentor—and a familiar assassin.
The Tamaraws looked ripe for an upset in the UAAP Final Four last season before Go buried a clutch triple that doomed FEU and greased Ateneo’s path to the Finals.
Ateneo eventually won the title over fierce rival La Salle.
Prince Orizu had 11 for FEU on a 5-for-13 shooting clip.
Ateneo was coming off a thrilling quarterfinal victory over Letran, 74-72, despite being travel-weary from an overseas training trip.
Matt Nieto, who scored the last two points against the Knights in the quarters, said Ateneo’s deep bench allowed key Blue Eagles to get a breather during the game. —WITH A REPORT FROM IVAN RUIZ L. SUING