Tamaraws, Eagles dispute elims bragging rights

MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University and Ateneo fight for the No. 1 spot in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament Saturday, with both sides still looking to improve their already impressive forms.   The Tamaraws have held the top berth all season long, but the defending champion Blue Eagles are hoping to celebrate coach Norman Black’s 100th game with Ateneo with a victory that could set up a mammoth Final Four match.   Far Eastern U and Ateneo collide at 4 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.   “Right now, we’re just at seven [with 10 as best rating],” said FEU coach Glenn Capacio. “We need to be a nine or a 10 going into the Final Four. We can’t be complacent.”   Also-rans University of the East and University of the Philippines wrap up their campaigns on the final elimination playdate at 2 p.m.   Black, who owns a 76-23 win-loss mark since taking over at Ateneo in 2005, expects a tough outing as it would take his Eagles more than just a win to claim the No. 1 seeding.   The Tamaraws own the UAAP penthouse at 11-2 with an impressive run anchored on top MVP contender RR Garcia, Aldrech Ramos, Reil Cervantes and rookie ace Terrence Romeo.   The Eagles (10-3) can dislodge the title-favorite Tamaraws if they win by at least three points.   “We have to find a better way to defend before we play FEU,” said Black, who will lean on Eric Salamat, Kirk Long, Ryan Buenafe and Justin Chua.   The Tamaraws and the Eagles already claimed the twice-to-beat semifinal bonus, the incentive given to the top two teams at the end of the eliminations.   In the Final Four, the No. 1 team battles the lowest seeded semifinalist in La Salle (8-6), while the No. 2 takes on No. 3 Adamson (9-5).   If Ateneo wins by more than three points, the Eagles will thus collide with the Archers in a Final Four encounter that’s expected to break box-office season records.