The final semis spot is set to be decided in a winner-take-all match to kick off the UAAP postseason.
The Adamson Soaring Falcons and the UE Red Warriors will engage in a knockout game for the last Final Four spot to kick off week-long postseason action in the UAAP as Season 87 enters the final push for the crown in men’s basketball.
After ending eliminations at identical 6-8 records, Adamson and UE will marquee the action on Wednesday before the Final Four cast is finally complete, and the semis raise the curtain on Saturday.
As UAAP Season 87 enters its final phase of action, let’s take a look at the schedule for the two game days this week.
November 27, 2024 (Wednesday) - Mall of Asia Arena
Adamson vs UE - 6:30 p.m.
The Adamson Soaring Falcons will engage in their third playoff match for the last Final Four spot in just as many seasons as they meet the UE Red Warriors in a winner-take-all game in the only men’s hoops action on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ending both their elimination rounds at 6-8, the two teams will vie for the chance to face defending champions La Salle in the Final Four matches beginning this weekend.
It will be a last gasp chance for both the Soaring Falcons and the Red Warriors who are going into the match on contrasting momentum.
Adamson will look to ride the high of their final elimination round win against the Ateneo Blue Eagles as they made their case for the Top 4 later on in the second round. Meanwhile, UE are reeling in the second half of the season.
After finishing the first round at 5-2 and on a 5-game win streak, the Red Warriors have since only won one game and are now losers of five straight – including a loss to the UP Fighting Maroons last week.
Though it has been a while since Precious Momowei and the Red Warriors have played up to par, they will look to capitalize on an Adamson squad that is likely to miss John Calisay due to suspension in their win-or-go-home contest.
With all on the line for both teams, expect the two squads to go all out in their playoff match.
November 30, 2024 (Saturday) - Smart Araneta Coliseum
UP vs UST - 3:30 p.m.
Old rivalries are set to be reawakened as the UP Fighting Maroons try to take an outright finals appearance at the expense of the resurgent UST Growling Tigers in their Final Four contest on Saturday.
After their meeting in the UAAP semis since UAAP Season 82, the Fighting Maroons will look to overturn their fate the last time out after seeing themselves getting booted out in the Final Four that year.
With new-look teams this time around, UP’s veteran guards JD Cagulangan and Harold Alarcon are set to banner the cavalry against a determined squad led by UAAP champion Forthsky Padrigao and UST stalwart Nic Cabañero.
Though the Fighting Maroons swept their season series against the Growling Tigers, the España cagers are riding the momentum of their first Final Four appearance since 2019.
DLSU vs UE/Adamson - 6:30 p.m.
The DLSU Green Archers are set to return from their lengthy layoff against the playoff winner between UE and Adamson in the main game of Final Four action this weekend.
With Kevin Quiambao raring to go after his latest stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, the reigning MVP will be eager to pick things up where they left off.
Despite coming off of a loss in their last game of eliminations against NU, La Salle will come out rested after last playing on November 13, and with a twice-to-beat advantage on their side, the defending champions will be eager to move on to the championship round.
But with either UE or Adamson taking the long way round to get into the semifinals, the Green Archers can expect a lot more fight out of the 4-seed – whoever that may turn out to be.