COMPETITION in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball further heats up with the start this weekend of the Final Four.

From a full complement of eight competing teams, the field is now narrowed to half with the surviving teams jockeying for position to get a clearer shot at the UAAP crown.

Left standing after two competitive rounds of elimination play are the Ateneo Blue Eagles (13-1), defending champions De La Salle Green Archers (12-2), Adamson Soaring Falcons (9-5) and Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws (7-7).

Top seed Ateneo battles fourth-seeded FEU in one semifinal bracket while number two team La Salle takes on third-seed Adamson in the other.

The Eagles and Archers carry twice-to-beat advantages over their opponents as incentive for finishing as the top two teams.

While it narrowly missed sweeping the eliminations and booking a direct seat to the finals, Ateneo is now focusing on regrouping and getting back to the finals the conventional way.

Lost to rival La Salle, 79-76, on the final day of elimination play last Sunday which effectively derailed its sweep bid, Ateneo, while rued the lost opportunity, remains undeterred, looking “at the bigger picture” with the end game of emerging as champion.

Out to stop the Eagles are the Tamarraws, who booked the last semifinal spot among the Final Four cast.

Needing to win its final elimination assignment to avoid any complications in entering the playoffs, FEU delivered accordingly, defeating Adamson, 71-54.

Able to book a spot in the semifinals, the Tamaraws know much work still lies ahead for them.

“The semifinals will be a tough one for us. We really have to take care of our own business and just do what we can to achieve our goals,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela after his team barged into the Final Four.

In their two elimination games, Ateneo dominated FEU each time with an average winning margin of 11.5 points.

ARCHERS VS. FALCONS
Meanwhile, La Salle begins its assault on another UAAP title against much-improved Adamson.

The hottest team entering the semifinals, having won seven straight, the Archers try to sustain the momentum and book a spot in the Big Dance.

To do so, La Salle said it needs to keep its defense steady and take it from there.

“Defense will be key for us. Coach [Aldin Ayo] always reminds us to play our best on defense and every thing else will follow,” said La Salle big man Ben Mbala, who was recently announced to get his second straight UAAP most valuable player award.

Out to stop La Salle are the Falcons, who have been playing solid of late despite losing in their last game.

Foreign player Papi Sarr as well as guards Jerrick Ahanmisi and Jerie Pingoy have been steady for Adamson, making it hardly a pushover especially in a high-stakes game.

The Archers have had the number of the Falcons this season, beating them twice already, 85-73, and 80-74.

The Final Four of UAAP Season 80 starts tomorrow with La Salle versus Adamson at 4 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ateneo against FEU, meanwhile, is on Sunday at 4 p.m. also at the Big Dome. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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