Tams, Eagles out to reprise UAAP duel in Final 4

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines has been the acknowledged home of top collegiate teams in the land for a long time running. Their top guns are out to live up to the billing.

Far Eastern and Ateneo eye a repeat of their UAAP championship match today when they take on separate rivals in the Final Four of the Champions’ League at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

UAAP champion FEU tests NCRAA and UCAA king St. Francis of Assisi at 2:30 p.m. followed by the battle between UAAP and NCAA runners up Ateneo and San Sebastian College.

The Tamaraws, conquerors of CUSA champion Las Piñas College and NCAA ruler Letran in the earlier rounds, are expected to encounter tough grind with the Doves led by RP team mainstays Ranidel de Ocampo and Ervin Sotto.

FEU coach Koy Banal couldn’t agree less.

"I know St. Francis is a strong team. And I’m aware that they are aching for revenge," said Banal.

The Tamaraws stalled the Doves in the Big Eight of the tournament inaugural last year.

But after their Champions’ League debacle, the Doves haven’t lost since, completing a 16-games sweep of NCRAA early this year and beating all pretenders in UCAA for the second straight season.

The Doves, with De Ocampo averaging 23 points, have clipped the wings of Adamson Falcons and University of Assumption-Pampanga Pelicans to get this far.

Ateneo and San Sebastian, on the other hand, try to cap an otherwise uneventful season with a bang.

Both teams failed to defend their crowns in their respective leagues despite starting the season as heavy favorites.

The Eagles will again bank on PBA-bounds Rich Alvarez and Wesley Gonzales, fresh from their triumphant stints with the national team, and veterans Larry Fonacier, L.A. Tenorio and Paolo Bugia.

Leading the Stags attack are NCAA MVP Leo Najorda, Pep Moore, Nicole Uy and Chris Baluyot.

The winners of the Final Four matches will advance to the best-of-three finals starting tomorrow.