Games Saturday (Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. — UE vs La Salle
4 p.m. — NU vs Adamson

La Salle and Adamson try to keep themselves on track for the No. 3 spot to avoid a possible semifinal encounter with tournament leader Far Eastern University when they play separate rivals this Saturday in the 73rd UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Green Archers take on the University of the East Warriors in the opener at 2 p.m. before the Falcons tackle the National University Bulldogs in the second game at 4 p.m.

Both teams clinched the last two Final Four berths after La Salle ousted University of Santo Tomas, 78-69, and the Bulldogs bowed to league-leading Far Eastern University, 77-62, two days ago.

La Salle’s win enabled the Archers to tie Adamson at third with similar 8-4 cards. A win this Saturday means their anticipated clash on Thursday in the final day of the classification round will determine the third placer and a meeting with Ateneo, currently in second place (9-3) should the standings stay as they are after the remaining last two games.

"I'm glad we're in. Many say we are a young team but we proved it otherwise," said La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren. "But we have to keep the same level of play in order to gain some momentum in the Final Four."

La Salle though should expect a tough contest against UE, which earlier beaten defending champion Ateneo and pushed Far Eastern University to the limit during the second round behind Paul Lee, James Martinez, Kenneth Acibar, and Ezer Rosopa.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are out to bounce back from a 55-52 loss to Ateneo on Sunday. In that contest, the wards of coach Leo Austria nearly pulled off an upset but failed to score in the final two minutes.

“Hindi pa din kami kailangan maging complacent kahit na nasa Final Four na kami,” Adamson mentor Leo Austria said.

Leading the way for the San Marcelino-based cagers are Eric Camson, Alex Nuyles, Jan Colina and Lester Alvarez but they must bring their A-game out to prevent NU from playing the spoiler roles.