TEAM STANDINGS
La Salle 11-1
UP 9-2
UE 6-5
UST 5-7
Adamson 4-7
FEU 4-8
NU 4-8
Ateneo 3-8
Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
3:30 p.m. – FEU vs Ateneo
6:30 p.m. – UE vs UST
By MARK REY MONTEJO
Foiled twice in its bid for a semis appearance after a long while, University of the East hopes to make it on Saturday, Nov. 9, when it collides with University of Santos in the UAAP the Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Warriors and the Tigers clash in ther featured match at 6:30 p.m. with the former looking for their first Final Four stint since 2009.
Unable to display the deadly form that powered them to five straight wins in the first round, the once proud school in Recto during a time when foreign athletes playing for a team was still a taboo had dropped three of its four games into the second round for a 6-5 record.
Though they remain in third place behind reigning titlist La Salle (11-1) and University of the Philippines (9-2), the Warriors are in dire need of a win to clinch at least a playoff for the fourth semis berth.
Interestingly, UST is breathing down close to UE’s neck with a 5-7 record, while the next four teams – Adamson (4-7), FEU and NU – both holding 4-7 records – and even Ateneo (3-8) have still some chances to make it to the next round albeit slim.
But for sure, that will make Saturday’s matches and the rest of the schedule fiercer and interesting.
La Salle and UP are the only teams assured of semis slots.
The clash between FEU and Ateneo at 3:30 p.m. is going to be a do-or-die since both teams can’t afford drop a game considering their records.
The revenge factor may also work in UE’s favor. They lost to the Tigers, 75-55, in the first round.
“We’re just focusing on our goal, ‘yon nga makabalik kami sa Final Four and I hope this time maka-recover kami,” said UE head coach Jack Santiago.
Out to lead UE are Precious Momowei, John Abate, Wello Lingolingo, Ethan Galang and Rainer Maga.
Like UE, UST is still smarting from a heartbreaking 67-62 loss to NU (4-8) last Wednesday, Nov. 6.
