Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
9:30 a.m. – NUNS vs FEU-D (16U)
11:30 a.m. – UST vs NU (Women)
3:30 p.m. – DLSU vs NU (Men)
DE La Salle University is looking to become the first fourth seed in six years to reach the UAAP men’s basketball Finals, facing a National University team suddenly on the brink of elimination in a no-tomorrow matchup Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A full-strength Green Archers finally cracked the code against the No. 1 Bulldogs, winning 87-77 last Wednesday to force a decisive rubber match. The winner of Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. clash will face defending champion University of the Philippines in the best-of-three Finals beginning Wednesday.
De La Salle aims to be the first No. 4 team since the 2019 University of Santo Tomas squad to reach the championship round. The 2013 UST and 2014 NU teams also reached the league’s biggest stage as fourth-ranked squads.
After a rocky 2-3 start plagued by injuries and suspensions, the Green Archers are now on the cusp of securing a third consecutive championship berth and a chance to reclaim the throne lost to the Fighting Maroons last season.
“Well, for us, it’s really been hard to make it here. It wasn’t given to us. We earned it. And earning it together, it’s really big to lose Kean (Baclaan) and Mason (Amos) at the start of the season. But again, we’re just fortunate. We’re just blessed to have these players that are really willing to give up their own agenda heading into the season just to contribute. It’s really hard to take care of all this talent and put it in one basket without the basket wrapping,” said De La Salle head coach Topex Robinson.
“But again, these guys really were positive, led by positive leaders, and it’s just a testament of how these guys really support and trust each other. And I’m just so fortunate to be under these players, learning also as well as we go through these challenging times because what we’ve been through in the eliminations was really challenging. But they made it easier for me as a coach because they made me feel safe and knowing that they’re going to really fight it till the end. Again, we’re just fortunate to be here and so blessed to be here,” he added.
The Bulldogs are now 0-3 all-time versus the Green Archers in the Final Four, with their only previous matchups coming in 2001 and 2023—both won by De La Salle as the higher-ranked team.
NU head coach Jeff Napa remains optimistic about his team’s chances of reaching its first Finals appearance since ending a 60-year championship drought in 2014.
“Given naman na ‘yon ‘eh na may psychological edge sila (Green Archers). Kailangan lang namin kung paano namin iha-handle ‘yung ganitong situation at challenge. Still positive pa rin, may challenge, given na ‘yan,” said Napa.
Jake Figueroa, who posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the loss, cannot do it alone for the Bulldogs, who trailed by as much as 17 points last Wednesday.
“Jake is Jake. Hindi lang naman kami doon nagre-rely. Ang importante kasi sa amin we’ll play as a group and as a team. May mga bagay na kailangan namin ayusin, especially doon sa mga ibang players. Hopefully, ma-address namin tomorrow para we’ll come prepared on Saturday,” said Napa.
The Fighting Maroons advanced to the Finals for a fifth straight season after narrowly defeating the Growling Tigers, 82-81, last Wednesday. UP lost twice to De La Salle during the elimination round but prevailed over NU in both of their meetings this season.
In the women’s Finals, set for 11:30 a.m., fierce rivals UST and NU will clash for the third time this season. The Tigresses earned an outright Finals berth with a 14-0 elimination round sweep, while the Lady Bulldogs fought through a grueling path to secure their 11th straight championship appearance, overcoming Ateneo 67-66 last Wednesday.
“Always naman na at the start of the season pa lang, I told them na always to give their best kung saan ‘man kami makarating. Now that the opportunity is here na we’re going straight to the Finals, I think nagma-matter is ‘yung character and identity namin as a team and how we handle yung championship series. As coaches naman, we’re going to help them prepare for that scenario sa championship. The rest, ‘yung adjustments, mangyayari na talaga sa mga bata,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong.
While the Tigresses aim to reclaim the crown they won in 2023, the Lady Bulldogs are targeting back-to-back titles under first-year head coach DA Olan.
“Yes, we had a hard time doon sa two games namin against UST. We really have to go back to the drawing board and probably adjust. Maraming adjustments ang mangyayari. Hopefully, we’ll give them a good fight and we’ll do our best to defend the crown. Itong coming Finals, confident ako na itong mga players namin, would not quit easily. Bibigyan namin ‘yung UST ng magandang laban,” said Olan.
In the 16U Finals, unbeaten NU-Nazareth School and Far Eastern University begin their best-of-three series at 9:30 a.m.
All games will air live on the Pilipinas Live app, One Sports, and the UAAP Varsity Channel.
