DLSU’s fate hangs in the balance. Adamson wants a guarantee to advance. Ateneo is fighting for the top seed. This Final Four race is going down to the
We are officially reaching the tail-end of the UAAP elimination rounds. With two huge games still left on the calendar, this is how the teams currently stand:
With the current standings, the UP Fighting Maroons, Ateneo Blue Eagles, and the NU Bulldogs are advancing to the Final Four. Meanwhile, the final spot is only open to the DLSU Green Archers and the Adamson Soaring Falcons.
It will all come down to the last two games happening tomorrow, November 30.
DLSU vs. UST
Unfortunately for DLSU, there is only one scenario that will give them a chance to advance into the Final Four. The first half of that scenario requires a victory against the UST Growling Tigers tomorrow.
UST has struggled throughout this season, to say the least. They only won one game throughout the season—their opening game against Adamson. After opening the season with a 69-60 win, it was hard to imagine that they would go the rest of the season winless.
This is good news for the Archers. They have beaten them once before already. But, as it will be the final game for the Tigers for the season, we wouldn’t put it past them to pull out a surprising upset to keep DLSU from advancing.
Given DLSU’s 6-7 record, this is a must-win for the team. However, winning this game will only take them so far. If they improve to a 7-7 record, they will still need Adamson to lose their match against Ateneo to keep them in the running for the final spot.
Ateneo vs. Adamson
On the other hand, the Adamson Falcons stand a chance to advance into the Final Four regardless of the outcome of the remaining two matches.
If Adamson is able to defeat Ateneo tomorrow, then the Falcons will book the last spot in the Final Four, even if DLSU beat UST. However, if Ateneo prevails over Adamson, there is a chance that the last spot will be determined by a playoff match.
If the Archers overcome the Tigers to stay in contention, and Adamson loses to the Blue Eagles, we will see a playoff game for the fourth spot in the Final Four.
But, although Ateneo is guaranteed to advance with a twice-to-beat advantage, they will still be playing to win.
Currently, they are second in the standings. With a win over the Falcons, the Eagles will improve to an 11-3 record. Though this matches UP’s record, Ateneo will still take the top seed given the quotient system being followed.
All in all, here is a summary of the potential outcomes of tomorrow’s games:
Will DLSU survive another day? Is Adamson going to find a way to guarantee their ticket to the Final Four? Will Ateneo win the top seed?
Find out tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Images courtesy of UAAP.