Games Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8:30 a.m. – UST vs FEU-D (16U)
10:30 a.m. – Ateneo vs NU (women’s)
1:30 p.m. – NU vs La Salle (men’s)
4:30 p.m. – UP vs UST
By MARK REY MONTEJO
After months of drama and high-level of play, the Final Four officially begins with no clear favorite in sight – not even the twice-to-beat holders University of the Philippines and National University.
While the road back to the Finals appears tight and bumpy, the Maroons and Bulldogs are determined to dispatch their respective rivals as quick as they can no matter what it takes in the opener of the semis of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Hoping to win their first-ever back-to-back championships, the Maroons will have to hurdle the in-form University of Santo Tomas in what could be a grudge rematch at 4:30 p.m.
As tense and explosive as the UP-UST duel is the 1:30 p.m. joust pitting the league-leading Bulldogs against the La Salle Green Archers, who are seeking payback with the possible return of heady guard Kean Baclaan.
The State U has bounced back from a dismal 0-2 start with a couple of winning streaks that pushed the Maroons back to respectability after its mainstays and second unit were perfectly synced in the following contests.
Noy Remogat has been living up to his status as a legitimate force, boosting UP’s firepower that include Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres. The teaqm also boasts of formidable role players in Francis Nnoruka, Gani Stevens, Sean Alter, Jacob Bayla, Miguel Yniguez, and Mark Belmonte.
The Maroons, coming off a long break, eye a repeat of their 89–88 squeaker, while the Tigers fight to extend their season and reproduce the 87–67 drubbing they dealt UP on the opening day.
Forthsky Padrigao and Nic Cabañero will spearhead UST’s juggernaut but will have to draw the best out of Amiel Acido, Gelo Crisostomo, Mark Llemit, and super rookie Collins Akowe to prevail.
Meanwhile, the Jake Figueroa-led Bulldogs, hoping to avoid the semifinals curse that haunted them 12 years ago, are aiming to sweep all their encounters against Mike Phillips and the Green Archers this season.
But achieving that won’t be easy.
As in the past, La Salle can always find ways to overcome challenges including multiple suspensions from its players and injuries suffered by Baclaan and Mason Amos.
Also, the Archers are excited with Baclaan’s possible return after tearing his right medial collateral ligament (MCL) in their 111-110 overtime escape over University of the East last Oct. 15, at Mall of Asia Arena.
But whether the shifty 5-foot-8 guard would play or not, Phillips and Jacob Cortez are war ready and so is coach Topex Robinson.
“Yes, we got here, but there’s still a lot of games to be played. We know we’re going to be tough against a very, very strong team in NU. We just have to be prepared for that,” said Robinson.
Apart from Figueroa, NU can always count on Omar John, Jolo Manansala, PJ Palacielo, Mark Parks, Paul Francisco, and Steve Nash Enriquez.
In women’s play, Karl Ann Pingol and the Lady Bulldogs will go up against the Kacey Dela Rosa-skippered Ateneo with the victor of the their 10:30 a.m. stepladder semis earning the right to meet the UST Golden Tigresses.
Opening the day is the match between the UST Tiger Cubs and FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws at 8:30 a.m. with the winner colliding against the NU-Nazareth School Bullpups.
Like the UST Tigresses, the Bullpups advanced outright to the Finals by sweeping the double-round elims.
