The Red Warriors, who brought along their core to Bacolod City led by Roi Sumang, thwarted the unbeaten run of the defending champions Blue Eagles to move on to the finale.
National University also had to go through hoops just to clinch the first finals spot, needing a game-winner to defeat Adamson, 67-66, at the USLS gym.
The Bulldogs, who also boasted a complete line-up, was salvaged on a putback by UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks Jr. with more than a second left on the clock.
UE and NU clash in the knockout final game Sunday as the annual country-wide competition comes to a close.
In the women’s division, the Lady Bulldogs slipped past five-time Unigames titlist Lady Falcons, 91-87, in overtime.
NU banked on an offensive surge in the extra period to get a crack at the championship after an 81-all stalemate at the end of regulation.
Far Eastern University, which went undefeated in the UAAP to claim the title recently, narrowly escaped Lyceum in the Philippines, 52-50, to set up a clash with NU.