By NIKOLE JAVIER
Armed with twice-to-beat advantages, University of the Philippines and La Salle try to set up a mouth-watering title clash when they go up against separate semis rivals Saturday in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The top-seeded Maroons collide with the reigning champions Ateneo Blue Eagles at 2 p.m. in a match dubbed as Battle of Katipunan before the second-seeded Archers collide with the National University Bulldogs at 6 p.m.
UP, which finished with a 12-2 mark, will once again bank heavily on reigning MVP Malick Diouf, Francis Lopez, CJ Cansino and JD Cagulangan in its bid for a third straight finals appearance.
The Archers are likewise favored to return to the final being the hottest squad after winning their last eight games highlighted by a sweep of the second round.
While UP is well-rested and fully motivated, Ateneo had to go through a playoff with Adamson before finally booking a slot in the Final Four.
But the Eagles beat the Falcons easily in their knockout match, 70-48, a win that augured well to their showdown with the Maroons.
Both squads have an equal head-to-head record against each other this season.
Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin emphasized that preparation will be key in their game against the Maroons.
For its ninth straight Final Four appearance, rookies Jared Brown and Mason Amos connived to give the defending champions a fighting chance for a potential back-to-back championship title.
Over at the women’s side, UP is looking to end its 15-year finals drought when it collides with the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses in a do-or-die match at 11 a.m.
The winner will be facing early finalist and reigning champion National University Lady Bulldogs, who are looking for their eight straight title.
MVP frontrunner Kevin Quiambao is expected to lead the Archers in their showdown with NU, a team not lacking of efficient role players.
