Eaglets, Tiger Cubs begin junior title series

MANILA, Philippines–Underdogs Adamson and La Salle head into the UAAP Final Four with confidence against the acknowledged favorites in the men’s basketball competition. The No. 3 Adamson Falcons go up against the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles in the semifinals, while the fourth-ranked La Salle Green Archers tangle with the top-seeded Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the other semifinal duel. “I think we can beat the two teams upstairs,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria (See related story below right). “During the eliminations, La Salle beat both FEU and Ateneo. We also beat FEU and we had close games against Ateneo.” This year’s Final Four will be played in separate playdates, with the Tamaraws getting a shot at claiming the first championship berth against the Archers at 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum. The Eagles, who are vying for a third straight crown, try to secure another Finals stint against the Falcons at 4 p.m. on Sunday, also at the Big Dome. Both the Tamaraws and the Eagles tote a twice-to-beat advantage, their incentive for claiming the top two spots in the eliminations. “I think we’ll be competitive against FEU,” said La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren. “We beat them once, so I think we have a strong chance against them. The boys have been doing well in practice.” Meanwhile, the junior championship between the Blue Eaglets and the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs kicks off at 4 p.m. today at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan. The defending champion Eaglets earned an outright Finals berth, as well as a thrice-to-beat incentive, in the title series after sweeping the 14-game eliminations. Thus, the Eaglets only need to score two more wins to clinch their third straight crown, while the Tiger Cubs need three victories to achieve the same. In women’s action, the Lady Falcons shoot for an elimination-round sweep against the second-running Lady Tamaraws at 2:15 p.m. A victory will propel Adamson straight to the Finals, leaving three other teams to fight in a stepladder semifinals.