National University Nazareth School continued to assert its dominance in the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Tournament, remaining undefeated through 10 games.
While many already see the Bullpups as a lock for the Final Four, FEU-Diliman head coach Muriel Garcia believes his team can challenge NUNS’ perfect 10-0 record.
However, that highly anticipated clash will not happen until after the Baby Tamaraws face the UST Tiger Cubs on Sunday, November 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
FEU-D and NUNS are scheduled to meet on November 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Looking to preserve the traditional Final Four format, FEU-Diliman aims to keep its hold on the No. 2 spot following its 71-65 escape of Adamson University last Sunday, November 2, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Baby Tamaraws now sport an 8-2 record heading into their matchup against the third-running Tiger Cubs (6-3) next week.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Kailangan ma-hold namin itong number two position kasi hindi namin alam kung sino ang magna-number three, magna-number four,” said Garcia after their win against the Baby Falcons.
“As you know naman, seeded sigurado ‘yan eh, wala pang tatalo. Baka kami tumalo diyan sa NU na ‘yan, pag-aaralan namin ‘yan pero bago kami pumunta sa NU, pupunta muna kami sa UST.”
If NUNS completes an elimination-round sweep, it would automatically advance to the Finals, triggering a stepladder semifinals format.
That also means that even if FEU-D holds on to the second seed, the team would lose its twice-to-beat advantage under the stepladder setup.
Still, Garcia refuses to overlook UST, especially knowing recent history has not been kind to FEU-D.
Last season, the Baby Tamaraws—armed with a twice-to-beat advantage—were stunned by the Tiger Cubs, who went on to finish as runners-up to the UE Junior Warriors.
“Pag-aaralan namin mabuti lahat ng game pero ayaw muna naming isipin ‘yan. Pero kailangan i-hold lang namin ‘yung number two spot tapos ma-improve namin ‘yung dapat naming pag-aralan pa gaya niyang 22 rebounds (ang Adamson) na nanalo ka,” said Garcia.
“Hindi convincing ‘yung mga ganyang panalo.”
