It is finally that time of the year for fans of the UAAP as the Final Four of the Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament tips off on Wednesday, December 3.
This season was one of the most razor-thin finishes in quite a while. With the NU Bulldogs and UP Fighting Maroons taking number one and number two, respectively, the UST Growling Tigers and DLSU Green Archers had to scratch and claw their way to secure their spots.
Without any further ado, let’s preview the Final Four matchups.
NU Bulldogs vs DLSU Green Archers
The NU Bulldogs are far and away the best team in the UAAP.
Holding a league-leading 11-3 record, they have proven to be one of the gutsiest teams this season after come-from-behind wins versus Ateneo and DLSU in round one, then against UE in round two, and versus Adamson in both rounds.
With Jake Figueroa leading the team on both ends of the floor, NU enjoyed being No. 1 in multiple categories, such as Total FG%, Steals, Turnover Points, and Fastbreak Points, while also ranking in the top two for Points Allowed and FG% Allowed.
Facing DLSU will be no walk in the park for the Bulldogs as Jacob Cortez has fully ascended into their alpha dog due to the absence of Kean Baclaan and Mason Amos, while Mike Phillips remains one of the best bigs in the UAAP this season.
Because DLSU is one of the most potent offenses in the league, ranked second in points, free throw attempts, turnovers, and turnover points, NU cannot afford to engage in a prolonged trading of baskets. Otherwise, they risk falling into DLSU’s rhythm.
NU holds the twice-to-beat advantage, and it is always better to finish the job early.
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UP Fighting Maroons vs UST Growling Tigers
After a slow start to the season, UP roared to No. 2 with a 10-4 record.
Surprising as it may be, their biggest strength is not primarily their Rey Remogat-led offense, but their defense. Fielding an elite defensive wing rotation led by Reyland Torres, Mark Belmonte, and Jacob Bayla, UP excels at suffocating opponents, which generates easy transition points.
They will be crucial against UST, along with respected veteran Harold Alarcon, since the Growling Tigers are the top-scoring team in the UAAP this season. They rank first in rebounds, second-chance points, and free throw attempts, while finishing second in three-point percentage and Starters’ Points.
UST’s success largely comes from Nic Cabanero and Collins Akowe, whose offensive firepower has been almost impossible to stop completely. However, it can be slowed down, as seen in the latter half of round one.
Fans can expect a classic showdown of elite offense versus elite defense in this matchup. And while UP holds the twice-to-beat advantage, it would not be shocking to see UST pull off an upset.
