Games Saturday 

(FilOil EcoOil Centre, San Juan City)

2 pm – UP vs FEU

6:30 pm – UST vs Adamson

It’s now or never for the remaining Final Four hopefuls in University of Santo Tomas, Adamson, and FEU when they plunge into action in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Saturday, Nov. 16.

With the UE Red Warriors’ defeat in their previous contest, the playoff race gets tighter and tougher as their closest pursuer Growling Tigers (6-7) try to get the better out of the streaking Soaring Falcons (5-7) in their 6:30 p.m. collision where a semifinal spot is at stake.

For the opening game at 2 p.m., the Tamaraws gun for a big win against the semis-bound UP Fighting Maroons (9-3) to keep their playoff contention alive.

If UST wins its contest against Adamson, the team would earn one of the two semis seats left with La Salle (12-2) and UP securing the first and second spots, respectively.

On the other hand, if the Falcons go victorious in their last two games – against UST and Ateneo – and the Red Warriors stun the Maroons, both Adamson and UE will advance to the next round.

If FEU, for its part, becomes the victor in its clash against UP, while UST and UE succumb in their respective matches – there’s a possibility of a three or four-way tie if Ateneo beats Adamson in the prelim’s final day.

“Practice, scout kami, gawa kami game plan para dito sa mga bata. Let’s see, bilog ang bola eh, tsaka di basta-basta ‘tong Adamson” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio.

“Stay ready lang kami, alam naman ng mga coaches ginagawa nila, gawin lang namin best namin,” Nic Cabañero added.

In their first-round encounter last Sept. 15, Adamson prevailed via a 69-56 triumph over UST.

Cabañero, alongside Forthsky Padrigao, Kyle Paranada, Mo Tounkara, and Christian Manaytay, are expected to lead the España-based squad.

Adamson, which is aiming to extend its three-game win streak, has AJ Fransman, Mat Montebon, Cedrick Manzano, Matthew Erolon and John Calisay at the forefront.

Meanwhile, the Maroons eye to end a two-game slide– one against La Salle (77–66) and the other against NU (67-47).