Eagles, Tams duel for pride, No. 1

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern University and Ateneo de Manila U decide who’s the boss entering the Final Four of the UAAP Season 73 seniors basketball tourney when they slug it out today in the last day of elims at the Araneta Coliseum.

Although both are assured of twice-to-beat incentive in the semis regardless of the game’s outcome, the Tamaraws (11-2) and the Blue Eagles (10-3) are expected to duke it all out in the 4 p.m. duel largely considered as the preview of the finals.

The pacesetting Tams, who swept the first round, will get top seeding and a semis date with No. 4 La Salle by simply beating the two-time defending champions today.

The Eagles, however, can still catch up with FEU in the standings and eventually snatch the No. 1 ranking via tiebreak if they defeat the Tams by at least three points.

“It’s about pride so we will go for the win and see what will happen,” FEU coach Glen Capacio, whose wards prevailed over the Eagles in their first meeting, 72-69.

But they will have to do so without skipper Jens Knuttel and backup big man Carl Bryan Cruz, who are both nursing sore eyes.

“We’ll just try our best and hopefully no (more) injuries (will be incurred) so that all will be healthy in the Final Four,” he said.

Ateneo coach Norman Black said they will take a business-like attitude towards the game.

“I’m not sure whether they (FEU) will show all their cards, being with the twice-to-beat (bonus). I think it’s just a matter of placing but we’ll go out to win. We want to have the momentum going into the Final Four,” said Black.

While FEU and AdMU fight for top ranking, University of the Philippines (0-13) makes one final stand to avert a winless season in the 2 p.m. first game, seeking the objective against University of the East (5-8).

The UE Red Warriors, though, look to end with a bang despite missing the semis for the first time since 2001. The Season 72 runner-up became this year’s giant-killers, having claimed the scalp of Adamson, Ateneo and La Salle in a late second round charge.

Meanwhile, University of Sto. Tomas guns for a finals berth in the juniors division when the Tiger Cubs battle La Salle-Zobel in the stepladder playoffs over at The Arena today.

The No. 2 Tiger Cubs need to win only once against the Junior Archers to advance against reigning titlist Ateneo, which netted an outright finals seat after sweeping the 14-game elims.