UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Approaches Elimination Round Climax with Final Four Spots in Sight

The UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball competition is intensifying as it enters the last three game days of the elimination round. National University (NU) and the University of the Philippines (UP) have already clinched their spots in the Final Four and earned twice-to-beat advantages. Meanwhile, other teams are still battling to claim the remaining two positions for the semifinals.

As of November 19, the standings are as follows:

• NU: 11 wins, 2 losses (Twice-to-beat)
• UP: 10 wins, 3 losses (Twice-to-beat)
• University of Santo Tomas (UST): 7-5
• De La Salle University (DLSU): 6-6
• Adamson University: 6-7
• Far Eastern University (FEU): 5-7
• Ateneo de Manila University: 5-7
• University of the East (UE): 0-13

In recent matchups, Adamson narrowly defeated La Salle 61-60, with Matt Erolon leading Adamson’s scoring with 18 points, followed by Cedrick Manzano’s 15 and Monty Montebon’s 10. La Salle’s top contributors were Vhoris Marasigan with 15 points and EJ Gollena with 10.

Meanwhile, UP edged Ateneo 79-75 in a closely contested game. Gerry Abad and Francis Nnoruka spearheaded UP’s offense with 18 and 17 points respectively. Ateneo’s Jared Bahay led his team with 21 points, supported by Kymani Ladi’s 17 and Shawn Tuano’s 10.

The remaining schedule features critical games that will determine which teams advance:

• Adamson will face Ateneo
• Ateneo has matches against Adamson and La Salle
• La Salle will take on UP and Ateneo
• FEU plays UE and UST
• NU faces UST
• UE meets FEU
• UP goes against La Salle
• UST competes versus NU and FEU

With stakes high during the final elimination round games, the race for the last two Final Four berths promises intense competition among the middle-tier teams. Fans await these decisive clashes that will shape the postseason lineup.