LAST season Far Eastern University (FEU) booted out De La Salle in the Final Four behind Mac Belo’s dagger three-pointer that left nothing but bitter memories for the Green Archers.
Now, the Tamaraws could again spoil De La Salle’s semifinal bid with a victory in their 4 p.m. encounter in Season 78 University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Already seeded No. 2 and paired with Ateneo de Manila in the Final Four, the Tamaraws face a Green Archers side in dire need of a victory to force a playoff with defending champion National University (NU) for the No. 4 spot.
Season host University of the Philippines (3-11) and University of the East (4-9) clash in the first game at 2 p.m. where at stake is school pride and their final record for the season.
At 10-3 won-lost, FEU has nothing to gain in the game against De La Salle. The Tamaraws are safe and sound with a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
But Tamaraws Head Coach Nash Racela said they want to enter the Final Four with momentum on their side.
“Our mentality remains the same—win the game. I understand the game is very important to them [Green Archers] but our position does not change. Go to every game with the intention of winning,” Racela said.
FEU is coming off a tough 68-70 loss to NU on Saturday that denied the Tamaraws the chance to claim the No. 1 seed in the Final Four, trailing top seed University of Santo Tomas (UST) (11-3) in the standings. Even if FEU wins on Wednesday, UST will remain No. 1 for having beaten the Tamaraws twice in the eliminations.
The Green Archers had to work hard in their last outing to frustrate the pesky Fighting Maroons, 72-68, and stay alive in the race for the No. 4 spot.
A loss by the Green Archers (6-7) will give the Bulldogs (7-7) a free ride to the semifinals, where they will face the Growling Tigers on Sunday also at the Big Dome. If De La Salle wins, a playoff will determine the fourth-ranked team.
Green Archers Head Coach Juno Sauler wanted his players to wield a strong sense of urgency against the team that eliminated them in the semifinals last season.
“It will be a tough game. FEU is a tough squad. Their players can shoot and attack the basket. Coach Nash knows that he’s doing there. Its going to be a tough game,” said Sauler, who never missed the Final Four round since handling the team three years ago. “We need to come out with a lot of heart and compete till the very end.”
Jeron Teng played with a bad back against UP, Thomas Torres sprained an ankle during the game while Julian Sargeant did not suit up because of a hamstring injury. Teng and Torres will be available for the FEU game, while Sargeant’s condition is in doubt.
“At this point, we have to take it one game at a time,” said Teng, who has been getting support from second-year forward Paolo Rivero.
Sauler pointed to Rivero as his best defender. “That’s why he’s getting the minutes. He knows how to help our team,” Sauler said.
If FEU beats De La Salle, the Final Four will start on Saturday.