With two playing dates left in the double-round eliminations of the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament, three games will be scrutinized heavily as these would ultimately decide the fate of four teams before the Final Four gets underway.

Defending champion Ateneo and Far Eastern University will meet on Saturday in what could be a preview of an anticipated finals meeting. Having secured twice-to-beat edge, the game has the added significance of determining which team gets the No. 1 spot in the semis.

The Blue Eagles are currently on top of the standings with a near-perfect 12-1 mark with the Tamaraws not far behind in second place at 11-2.

The Tamaraws can clinch the No. 1 spot if they beat the Eagles by five points or more. That’s because Ateneo defeated FEU in the first round, 63-59, last July 12.

“Basically what we'll have to do is to avoid losing by more than four points to FEU or we have to beat them period," said Ateneo head coach Norman Black.
 
Also worth watching are the matches involving University of Santo Tomas and La Salle tomorrow. Both UST and La Salle are jockeying for the No. 4 spot with the Tigers enjoying a slight edge with a 6-7 record while the Archers tote a 5-8 mark.

The Tigers blew away a second opportunity to secure the No. 4 spot after absorbing a crushing 64-83 defeat to Adamson three days ago.

For them to clinch it on a third try they have to raise their game several notches since they have to meet streaking University of the East at 4 p.m. which may not play as hard since, win or lose, its got third spot.

The Archers, on the other hand, will have to face lowly National University at 2 p.m.

A win by the Archers and a Tigers loss would tie both teams at 6-8. If that happens, they will meet in a one-game playoff.