UAAP 88 basketball last playdate becomes three-cornered rumble

DE LA SALLE University (DLSU) wants no complications for an outright seat while Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and Far Eastern University (FEU) want exactly that scenario to stay alive as the final semifinal ticket in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball becomes a three-cornered rumble in the final playdate on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

- 

Action erupts at 2 p.m. starting with the FEU Tamaraws figuring in a door-die battle against the semis-bound University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers followed by a deciding clash as well between archrivals DLSU Green Archers and the ADMU, Blue Eagles at 4:30 p.m.

The double header is a rescheduled date from the postponement earlier this month due to Super Typhoon Uwan and has now become the all-important clincher for the three squads given an airtight race.

Santo Tomas, thanks to a big win over No. 1 seed National University (NU), clinched the third seed with an 8-5 slate — leaving La Salle (7-6), Far Eastern (6-7) and Ateneo (6-7) regardless of the result of its final match.

The Growling Tigers are set for arematch with reigning champion University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, who finished No. 2 with a 10-4 slate behind the National University Bulldogs (11-3) still awaiting an opponent. NU and UP hold twice-to-beat incentives.