UAAP: Struggling UE, UST face off as Final 4 race heats up

The UST Growling Tigers battle the UE Red Warriors during the first round of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum on September 8, 2024.  UAAP Media

MANILA -- The six-way race for the last two spots in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Final 4 heats up on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum. 

University of the East and University of Santo Tomas -- which are still at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, despite their recent struggles -- will collide at 6:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and Ateneo de Manila University face off at 3:30 p.m., with both teams needing victories to stay in the hunt.

Adamson University and National University, two other squads still very much in Final Four contention, clash Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

READ: National U avoids elimination after strong 4th quarter against UST

The Red Warriors have struggled after an inspiring first round performance, slipping to 6-5 after dropping three of their last four games.

Also on the downswing are the Growling Tigers, who have lost four of five second round contests and have barely clinging to the No. 4 spot with a 5-7 record.

The Tamaraws and the Blue Eagles both had good starts to the second round, but then lost to defending champion De La Salle University. 

The Tamaraws are tied with the Bulldogs at 4-8 in joint sixth, while the Blue Eagles hold a 3-8 record. Ateneo is two games behind UST in the race for the last Final Four spot.

Struggling all season long, the Falcons sit in solo fifth with a 4-7 slate, just half-a-game behind the Growling Tigers. Adamson ended a five-game slide after beating UE, 45-37, in a low-scoring affair a week ago.

The Final Four-bound Green Archers have already assured of a twice-to-beat slot with an 11-1 card. De La Salle will face University of the Philippines in a Finals rematch at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, with a win sealing the No. 1 ranking in the eliminations.

The Fighting Maroons, who suffered a 47-67 blowout loss to the Bulldogs last Sunday, are running second at 9-2 and need to win one of their three matches to sew up the other twice-to-beat berth in the Final Four.

In the women's division, Ateneo eyes the remaining Final Four slot against FEU at 10 a.m. Defending champion UST tries to seal the No. 2 ranking in the eliminations in the 12 noon duel with UE.

Undefeated UE shoots for its 11th straight win against Ateneo at 8 a.m. in junior high school action.

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