UNIVERSITY of the East aims to move to within one win of securing its first Final Four appearance in 15 years as it faces off against Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena today (Wednesday).
Holding third place with a 6-3 record, the Red Warriors are three and a half games ahead of three teams tied for fifth place, including the Falcons, who currently sit at 3-7.
Fresh off a crucial 74-58 victory over National University last Saturday, UE hopes to start a new winning streak and edge closer to a guaranteed playoff spot for the Final Four in their 2 p.m. match.
Meanwhile, Ateneo, sharing a 3-7 standing with Adamson and Far Eastern University, takes on Final Four-bound University of the Philippines in a 6:30 p.m. “Battle of Katipunan.”
Despite a mid-season slump, University of Santo Tomas clings to fourth place with a 5-6 record, one and a half games ahead of Ateneo.
The Blue Eagles, trailing UST, must play flawlessly to maintain their Final Four streak, which dates back to Season 77 (2014).
Ateneo’s two-game winning run ended last Saturday with a 65-80 loss to defending champion De La Salle, making this game critical to their playoff hopes.
With an 8-1 record, UP holds a two-game cushion over UE in the battle for the second twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four.
Already securing their sixth straight semifinal berth, the Fighting Maroons are focused on refining their gameplay to lock in a top-two finish.
“I think what’s important is that everyone is on the same page, regardless of their minutes inside, long or short. Basta prepare lang kami, ‘yung mindset namin and ma-execute ‘yung lahat ng kailangan naming gawin sa loob,” shared assistant coach Christian Luanzon, Fighting Maroons coach Goldwin Monteverde’s trusted offensive coach.
UE, eager to return to the Final Four for the first time since 2009, remains grounded even after their recent win.
Red Warriors head coach Jack Santiago emphasizes focus, saying, “Zero-zero pa rin kami. Knowing Adamson, they need to win a couple of games also. For sure, they are going to prepare for us.”
In the women’s division, Adamson eyes its first Final Four appearance since Season 82 (2019).
A victory over UE in their 10 a.m. matchup, along with a win by Ateneo over UP at 12 noon, would solidify their spot.
The Ateneo-UP game will also have significant implications for the last Final Four berth.
In Junior High School Boys’ action, the UE Junior Warriors look to shake off some rust after a 14-day break, facing the UST Tiger Cubs.
A win would secure at least a playoff spot in the Final Four.
Games Wednesday
(SM Mall of Asia Arena)
8 a.m. – UE vs UST (JHS)
10 a.m. – AdU vs UE (Women)
12 noon – Ateneo vs UP (Women)
2 p.m. – AdU vs UE (Men)
6:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (Men)
