There are only two things definite after today’s game between Far Eastern University and National University.
The rest of it is unpredictable as where Typhoon “Lawin” will go.
There will be a playoff to determine the final composition of Season 75’s Final Four — either for the No. 2 spot or the No. 4 berth in the the UAAP men’s basketball tournament. And that either playoff would involve the Tamaraws.
With University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University keenly waiting on the sidelines, the Tamaraws and Bulldogs clash in a season-defining game today, the outcome of which would shape the fate of four teams going into the semifinal round.
Gametime of the league’s lone offering is at 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena and expect the students and alumni of both FEU and NU to pack the Pasay venue to rally on their respective schools.
Ateneo de Manila University is currently on top of the standings with a tournament best 12-2 win-loss record and is merely awaiting the results of the this fierce four-team scramble for the last three berths in the Final Four. Adding to that luxury is that the Blue Eagles need only to win once over the No. 4 team to make it to the Finals — a solid step toward their ultimate goal this season which is to claim a historic fifth straight UAAP title.
But that is leap-frogging over today’s crucial game.
As it is, UST is at second, enjoying its best season under coach Pido Jarencio with a 10-4 mark. Half a game down is FEU at 9-4. DLSU should complete the Final Four cast at fourth with its 9-5 slate but NU still has today’s game to forge a tie with its 8-5 norm.
The possibilities are as varied as what forecasters have said about our weather.
A win by FEU will tie the Tamaraws with the Growling Tigers at second place that will need a playoff game to determine who would be the No. 2 team. Whoever emerges victor in that game need only to win once to advance to the best-of-three championship playoff.
And in the battle for fourth place, NU drops out while the Green Archers advance to the Final Four against the Blue Eagles.
The other playoff scenario would arise should FEU lose. And it will be grimmer for the Tamaraws, losing finalists for the last two seasons to the Blue Eagles.
A loss by FEU would create a three-way tie at 9-5 with DLSU and NU. In that eventuality, the Bulldogs will advance as the No. 3 team owing to a better quotient. The Tamaraws and Green Archers would then have to slug it out for the No. 4 slot in a playoff.
NU will have to win twice over UST while the winner between FEU and DLSU will also have the same objective against Ateneo to advance to the Finals.
As such, it’s unsure as where Typhoon Lawin would go.