Archers, Falcons resume bid for twice-to-beat advantage

Manila, Philippines – If you think that the remaining games in the UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball bear no credence now that the Final Four cast have already been completed, think again.

Tied at 8-4, both De La Salle Green Archers and Adamson Falcons seek crucial victories on Saturday against eliminated rivals that would play the spoilers’ role to the hilt.

The Archers face the dangerous University of the East Red Warriors at 2 pm while the Falcons meet the vastly-improved National University Bulldogs, who just came up short in their Final Four bid, at 4 pm.

The Archers and the Falcons still have a legitimate shot at the twice-to-beat advantage. Both teams are trailing defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles (9-3) and Far Eastern University Tamaraws (10-2).

The top two teams at the end of the double round elimination round will get a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four round.

The Archers bludgeoned the Warriors back in the first round, 82-63. But La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren, who mentored the Warriors two seasons ago, doesn’t want his Archers to get complacent.

“A lot of people are saying that we’re a young team, but we proved them wrong,” Pumaren said. “I hope we can make it all the way. We can still get one of the top two slots. We just have to remain focus and try to get another win (against UE).”

The Falcons, on the other hand, are reeling from another close defeat (52-55) to the Eagles. It was a loss that knocked them off from the top two, which they held last week.

“We are still looking to get that important twice-to-beat edge. I feel that we can still make it. They boys just have to feel confident and play composed,” Adamson coach Leo Austria said.

The Bulldogs, who have improved from their woeful 3-11 showing last season with 5-7 record thus far, want to build momentum going into the next season.

The Falcons nipped the Bulldogs, 60-54, during the season opener but things have changed since then.

The Falcons rose to become one of the elite teams in the league barging into the Final Four for the first time since 2006. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, is on their way to their best showing since entering the Final Four in 2001.

Alder Almo, UAAP Sports