Archers, Tams dispute Final 4 slot

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle and Far Eastern, two squads that looked on their way to secure Final Four berths in the 81st UAAP men’s basketbal early on but got stymied along the way, hope to proceed to the semis eventually as they figure in a you-or-me clash today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Archers, who actually reached the threshold of the F4 as early as Nov. 7 but couldn’t complete the job and secure the clinching ninth win, and the Tams, who went on a free-fall with four straight losses after topping the first round but revived their bid by hurdling their last three assignments, dispute the last available F4 berth at 3:30 p.m.

Waiting in the wings is defending champion and No. 1 seed Ateneo, which braces for a dogfight with whoever makes it through.

La Salle’s entry was derailed by setback to the semis-bound Eagles and University of the Philippines, which took the No. 3 seeding in a triple tie with DLSU and FEU at 8-6 by virtue of its superior quotient versus the two.