Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
3:30 p.m. – UP vs UST
6:30 p.m. – La Salle vs Adamson
By MARK REY MONTEJO
La Salle and University of the Philippines aim to forge a finals rematch when they both try to make quick work of their respective semifinals foe in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament Finals Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Nov. 30.
Coming from a two-week break, the reigning titlists Green Archers have the fresh legs against the fourth seed but still dangerous Adamson University in the second game at 6:30 p.m.
Raising the curtain at 3:30 p.m. in the epic Final Four matchups is a showdown between the second seed Fighting Maroons and the UST Growling Tigers.
Both La Salle and UP are holding on a twice-to beat advantage.
The Archers are expected to lean on main man Kevin Quiambao who is fresh off a stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Motivation is also expected to soar higher for Quiambao who looked poised to bag a back-to-back MVP plums which will be awarded before the game.
He alongside Mike Phillips, and Joshua David are providing the leadership for the Taft-based squad.
“Malaking boost sakin ‘to bilang isa sa mga leaders sa La Salle, So ‘yong experience [ko] rito dadalhin ko and ipapayo ko sa mga teammates ko sa kanila,” said Quiambao.
On the other hand, the Soaring Falcons are certainly brimming with confidence after overcoming two do-or-die games to catch the last bus to the playoffs.
Adamson defeated Ateneo to force a playoff for the last Final Four spot. It then took down University of the East to get the chance to challenge the defending champs.
Meanwhile, UP braces for a motivated UST which qualified into the Final Four for the first time since 2019.
UST leans on its top gunners in Nic Cabanero, Mo Tounkara, Kyle Paranada, Amiel Acido and Forthsky Padrigao as they gun for an upset win against UP, which beat them twice in the prelims.
