Coaches differ on semifinals outcome

MANILA, Philippines - The 73nd UAAP men’s basketball tournament reaches the Final Four stage after an action-packed season marked by the return of a traditional powerhouse from last year’s shocking exit and the re-emergence of a school whose last title came in the 70s.

The tournament ran true to form with Far Eastern U finally living up to its top billing and defending champion Ateneo still showing its readiness for another title run despite losing three of its key players. They meet La Salle and Adamson, respectively, in the semifinals.

Coaches Lawrence Chongson of UE and Pido Jarencio of UST, whose teams fell short of their Final Four bids, said the semis could produce some surprises.

“It will be a toss-up,” said Chongson, stressing that if one of the two underdog teams pulled off an upset, a major reversal wouldn’t be far off.

“If either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed could score an upset over the higher seeded teams, it will have a potential to go all the way,” Chongson said.

In UAAP history, however, odds are stacked against the No. 3 and No. 4 teams in the Final Four.

The No. 1 seed has beaten the No. 4 seed in all 14 times the Final Four was applied with only four going the full route.

The No. 2 seed, on the other hand, has defeated the No. 3 seed in nine of the 15 occasions with six needing an extra game to advance.

This means Ateneo has a 60-percent chance to beat Adamson, which incidentally has never beaten the former in a span of more than 20 games.

Unlike Chongson, Jarencio feels it’s going to be FEU vs Ateneo.

“It’s going to be FEU and Ateneo in the finals,” said Jarencio, who steered the Tigers to the 2006 title over Ateneo in one of the league’s most improbable title conquests.

Jarencio said the Tams have the ability to go all the way because of their hunger and depth.

“It’s going to be FEU because I think this is their year,” said Jarencio.

But Jarencio is not discounting the reigning titlist out.

“Ateneo is peaking at the right time,” he added.