UAAP Season 84: Ateneo and UP are Hoping for a Quick Path to the Finals

On Wednesday, May 4, within the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball semifinals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Reigning champion and top seed, Ateneo will look to rebound and finish the duty in one game against FEU. At the same time, the University of the Philippines will look to create on its recent success against De La Salle.

The Fighting Maroons and Green Archers play at 2 p.m., with the Blue Eagles and Tamaraws squaring off at 7 p.m. To garner the standard Final Four doubleheader. For the primary time in 28 years, the ultimate Four cast includes Ateneo, UP, De La Salle, and FEU.

After the Eagles’ first setback, an 84-83 loss against the Maroons on May 1. Head coach Tab Baldwin promised to rebuild as quickly as possible in only two days.

Being in the first place in the postseason gave Baldwin and his wards even more reason. Remind themselves that there’s no space for complacency against an FEU team. That has advanced to the ultimate Four for the eighth time in a row, the longest active run within the league’s men’s basketball.

On the other hand, Ateneo is only a year behind, with seven Final Four appearances in a row.

Except for Seasons 77 and 82, the Eagles, who ended the elimination stage with a 13-1 record. And the Tamaraws, who came alive with a 7-7 record, met in the playoffs five times in the previous seven years.

Baldwin said:

“They’re (FEU) excellent, and anytime we play an Ateneo semifinal. We run into FEU, and their history is one of many obstacles”. “We don’t expect anything less,” He is on side lead by Ange Kouame, Dave Ildefonso, SJ Belangel, Gian Mamuyac, and Raffy Verano. Saw its 39 UAAP Season 84 game winning run snapped in front of a robust 10,512 fans during the season’s second “Battle of Katipunan.”

“You know, Olsen (Racela) does a fantastic job, and they’ll be ready. They fought against us in the last match, and then we broke up in the second half. So they’ll be thrilled about their chances.”

Ljay Gonzales, RJ Abarrientos, Xyrus Torres, Bryan Sajonia, and Emman Ojuola make up the Tamaraws’ youthful core.

UAAP Season 84 game date

A Friday UAAP Season 84 game date of May 6 establishes if FEU and De La Salle win their respective games against Ateneo and UP. Meanwhile, UP (12-2), which has a twice-to-beat advantage with Ateneo, hopes to build on a four-game. Winning run against De La Salle, another powerful squad (9-5).

The Maroons, making their third straight Final Four appearance, have only fallen twice this season. To the Eagles in the first round and the Soaring Falcons in the second.

Firstly, with various players stepping up each UAAP Season 84 game, UP has demonstrated flexibility and togetherness, led by Zavier Lucero and Carl Tamayo. JD Cagulangan, the court general, worked behind the scenes. Malick Diouf showed he’s a force to be reckoned with in the paint, and CJ Cansino. And Ricci also contributed to the Diliman-based group.

All eyes will be on Justine Baltazar and Deschon Winston in Taft. Who missed the Archers’ 76-65 victory against the National University Bulldogs. Due to sprains and back spasms, respectively, as the two might create a lethal one-two punch.

In addition, for the third-ranked De La Salle, Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy have their hands complete in the backcourt. Kurt Lojera offers steady scoring, and energizer-bunny Michael Phillips handles the rebounding chores.

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