By this time, UAAP teams look at their game schedules the same way explorers going up Mt. Everest study their maps. It seems the nearer you get to the summit, the more treacherous the road gets. While Ateneo (8-1) and FEU (8-1) just worry about carelessness in its upward climb, UE, UST and DLSU brace for snowstorms, avalanche, abominable snowmen, frostbite and other out-of-this-world perils on their way to the semifinal round.
UE (5-4) faces FEU, DLSU, UP, NU and UST in the coming weeks. UE hopes to avenge its 76-72 first round setback against FEU when they face anew on August 23. I’m not sure how far UE can go with its freelance offense and defense, but if the Warriors can get on a hot streak with possible wins over DLSU, UP and NU, they might have momentum heading into the semis. But really, the Warriors’ showdown with La Salle on August 29 and rematch with UST on September 10 will decide UE’s fate.
UST (5-4), for its remaining games, collides with Ateneo, NU, DLSU, Adamson and UE. Normal teams might shudder when faced with the possibility of needing to win over the Eagles, Archers and Warriors just to make it to the Final Four. However, UST is not a normal team, Pido Jarencio is not your usual coach and Dylan Ababou is not an ordinary go-to-guy. Expect the UE and UST game on September 10, the final second round assignment for both teams, to have vital repercussions.
Of the three teams with realistic chances of landing in the Final Four, La Salle (4-6) has the most perilous journey ahead. After the Archers lost to UP last August 22, they embark on an all-expenses-paid 3-game tour through Mordor. In its bid not to miss the Final Four for the first time in history, La Salle clashes with UE (August 29), UST (September 3) and FEU (September 5). If the Archers win all three games, I will urge La Salle to retire Franz Pumaren’s moustache thus forbidding future DLSU coaches from sporting facial hair ever again.
The beauty of the UAAP Final Four format is in its simplicity. No complicated cross-over scenarios. No wildcard round involving all 8 teams. Top 4 teams get tickets to the big dance. Last 4 teams have a running start for next year. The format may be simple to understand. Getting into the semis, however, is no walk in the park. Since Adamson (3-7) can still convert water into wine in the second round while UP (3-7) aims to shock even more teams, 7 teams are in the hunt for 4 precious berths. As such, even the precarious trek for 3rd and 4th place becomes just as dramatic and just as intense. MH
