UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Adamson University dispute the remaining Finals slot in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament today (Wednesday) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The winner of the 3 p.m. knockout step-ladder game will take on unbeaten National University in the best-of-three championship series starting on Sunday.
The back-to-back title-seeking Tigresses finished second behind the Lady Bulldogs at 12-2 record.
NU jumped straight to the title round after completing a 14-0 elimination round sweep.
UST cannot afford any missteps if it wants to reach the Finals for the third time in the last four seasons.
“Ang importante kasi now in the Final Four is how we play our offense and our defense. Kung sino man yung makakalaban namin, it will be a good start na kung paano kami nagplay na 40 minutes solid yung depensa,” said coach Haydee Ong.
“I think coming into the Final Four, it’s more on the mental toughness and the mindset kasi yung game sa stepladder is a knockout game not like the past seasons. Importante talaga na we should start strong and end strong,” she added.
The Tigresses swept their elimination round head-of-head, but the Lady Falcons gave them fits before dropping a 55-58 decision in the first round
Gunning for its first championship appearance since 2011, Adamson is not contented by assuring itself of a third place finish.
“It’s about wanting it more. If you want it, they will not give it to you. We have to work for it. These players have been through a lot, questioning each other, challenging each other,” said Lady Falcons coach Ryan Monteclaro.
“It was a healthy competition in a way na responding to the big effort that we’re asking is not just normal ‘eh, it’s becoming a habit,” he added.
Adamson fended off Ateneo, 69-63, in overtime in a thrilling first step-ladder match on Sunday.
In the junior high school division, University of the East and Far Eastern University-Diliman look to make the most out of their respective twice-to-beat advantages to start the Final Four.
The Junior Warriors will open the three-game slate, aiming to dethrone reigning champions National University Nazareth School Bullpups at 11 a.m.
“We have to prepare ourselves. Improve on the things kung ano kailangan namin i-improve. Sarili muna namin kasi nung sa FEU-D game, ang dami namin nakitang things to improve on. We’ll focus on ourselves first, especially heading into the Final Four,” UE head coach Andrew Estrella said
Riding a six-game streak to close the eliminations, the Baby Tamaraws look to avenge their lone second-round loss, facing the UST Tiger Cubs at 1 p.m.
“Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na simula nu’ng natalo kami sa NUNS [last season], lagi namin baon ‘yon. Kung ano ‘yung sakit na naramdaman namin, binabaon namin lagi ‘yon at ginagawa naming experience ‘yon. Sinasabi ko na hindi ka naman mabubuhay sa dumaan na, pero sinasabi ko na kung ano ‘yung galit at inis natin, palitan natin ng trabaho,” FEU-D head coach Muriel Garcia said.
Games Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
11 a.m. – UE vs NUNS (JHS Final Four)
1 p.m. – UST vs FEU-D (JHS Final Four)
3 p.m. – UST vs AdU (Women Step-ladder)
