University of Santo Tomas will have a mountain to climb if it hopes to clinch the fourth and final semis berth when it meets University of the East on Thursday as the UAAP basketball tournament becomes a death struggle for UST and La Salle.

UST missed sealing the deal in its last two games when it lost to La Salle and spoiler Adamson University, but gets another chance when the Tigers tangle with the Warriors at 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

La Salle, meanwhile takes on National University in which a loss would mean an early vacation.

But a La Salle win and a UST loss will put both teams in a one-game playoff for the last Final 4 berth, the first three of which had been secured by Ateneo, Far Eastern University, and UE.

UST is hoping that with nothing more to gain for UE, the Warriors might play it easy and give the Tigers the much needed clincher.

Coach Pido Jarencio and his Tigers, led by Most Valuable Player candidate Dylan Ababou, are hoping that there will be no more fourth time.

“Sana sa pangatlong chance namin masungkit na namin yung Final Four. Basta kami pupursigihan namin para makuha iyun,” said Jarencio.

Although assured of the No. 3 spot, UE head coach Lawrence Chongson is not about to let his team make the game a scrimmage and he wants it to gain momentum heading into the semis.

“We will not wait until September 20 (start of the Final Four). Basta starting now, playoffs na,” said Chongson.

And that is what La Salle mentor Franz Pumaren is praying for while adding that his team must do its part to make it (playoff) a reality.

“First of all, we have to do our own part then pray that UE would beat UST for us to have a shot,” Pumaren said.

The Archers have been playing solidly since shaving their heads as a sign of unity. Aside from the win over UST, they pushed early semifinalists Far Eastern University to the limit before losing in overtime, 71-69.