Game on Thursday
(Araneta Coliseum)
3:30 p.m. – UE vs FEU

University of the East and Far Eastern University collide on Thursday for the right to face defending champion Ateneo in the finals of the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Red Warriors, who have yet to win a title since scoring back-to-back championships in 1984-85, forced a knockout match in their Final Four series with an 84-74 win over the Tamaraws, who own a twice-to-beat incentive, last Saturday.

Given the importance of the game, there will be no turning back for the fellow U-belt squads. Most likely, the game could be emotional, if not a bruising one since both squads are aching to get back into the finals.

The Tamaraws will again miss the services of ace guard Mark Barroca, who was officially dropped from the line-up by FEU officials, who said that the team will have a better chemistry in the court without him.

Barroca was questioned by school officials after his numbers – especially against La Salle and Ateneo – drastically dropped.

FEU’s decision was hailed by some quarters, saying it was a moral victory on its part.

The winner of Thursday’s encounter will arrange a best-of-three duel with the Blue Eagles starting on Sunday.

Ateneo claimed the first finals berth by downing University of Santo Tomas, 81-64, last Sunday behind the efforts of Jai Reyes and Ryan Buenafe.