4-way fight for two UAAP Final Four slots

MANILA,Philippines–The race for the last two Final Four slots heats up heading into the homestretch of the elimination round with four teams still in contention in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.   Far Eastern University and Ateneo have locked up the first two semifinal berths, leaving Adamson, La Salle, National U and University of Santo Tomas to dispute the remaining qualifying seats in the next two weeks.   “We have to take care of our business,” said coach Dindo Pumaren after his Green Archers, who missed the semis for the first time last year, strengthened their bid for a Final Four return.   La Salle totes a 7-4 slate behind the 8-4 card of the third-running Falcons. 
“Every game will be a stumbling block or a stepping stone to the Final Four,” said coach Eric Gonzales, whose Bulldogs tote a 5-6 card.   “We know we’re still far [from the slot], so we just have to take it one game at a time.”   At 4-7, the prospects are bleak for the Tigers, who could only forge a playoff for the fourth spot if they sweep their last three games and the Archers fail to score a single win.   “As long as we still have a chance, we’ll work hard on it,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio.   The Tamaraws, the first semifinalist, kept the lead with a 9-2 record, half a game ahead of the defending champion Blue Eagles (9-3).   “Our target is still the twice-to-beat [incentive],” said FEU mentor Glenn Capacio, the same goal for Ateneo coach Norman Black.   The top two teams after the elimination round go into the Final Four with the twice-to-beat advantage over their semifinal foes. Adamson is assured of at least a playoff for the Final Four and is still in contention for the twice-to-beat incentive.