Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 28) — The Final Four picture of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament will only become clearer on its last game day.
The double header that was supposed to take place last month was rescheduled for this week due to Typhoon Paeng.
Here are the two crucial games left in the elimination round on Nov. 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City:
2 p.m. – De La Salle University vs University of Santo Tomas (UST)
4 p.m. – Ateneo de Manila University vs Adamson University
Here’s where teams currently stand:
1.) University of the Philippines – 11-3 (twice-to-beat)
2.) Ateneo de Manila University – 10-3 (twice-to-beat)
3.) National University – 9-5
4.) Adamson University – 7-6
5.) De La Salle University 6-7
SETTING SIGHTS ON THE TOP SEED
Ateneo clinched the last twice-to-beat bonus in the Final with a 75-67 win over University of the Philippines (UP) last Saturday.
As shaky as its season has been so far, the Katipunan-based squad can dislodge UP at the top spot entering the playoffs.
Ateneo just needs to defeat Adamson University to snatch the top seed despite an identical 11-3 record with UP. This is because of the quotient system in place.
If Ateneo loses to Adamson, UP will retain its place on top and set up an Ateneo-NU clash in the Final Four.
CATCHING THE LAST PLAYOFFS BUS
Pressure will be on La Salle as it needs to beat cellar-dwelling University of Santo Tomas to improve its record to 7-7.
The Taft-based squad is coming off an 80-72 overtime loss to University of the East last Saturday, which put La Salle in a difficult situation as its fate is not entirely on its hands.
La Salle needs Ateneo to defeat Adamson to force a playoff game for the last Final Four seat.
Meanwhile, Adamson shocking Ateneo would eliminate La Salle from contention as it will have a superior 8-6 win-loss card, even if La Salle beats UST.
