SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 basketball

Finals

It’s down to the top two seeds.

After dispatching their Final Four foes in one game, the UP Fighting Maroons and the La Salle Green Archers clash in the UAAP men’s basketball championship series for the first time.

Here’s the schedule of the best-of-three finale:

In women’s basketball, the NU Lady Bulldogs shoot for an eighth straight crown against the UST Growling Tigresses.

While the reigning champions cruised their way to the finals, the Tigresses needed to dispose of the UP Fighting Maroons in a knockout game to claim the last title berth.

Here’s their best-of-three series schedule:

Final Four

UAAP men’s basketball needed one extra game day to settle the Final Four cast.

The top-seeded UP Fighting Maroons hold the twice-to-beat advantage this time against defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles, who had to dispose of the Adamson Falcons in a playoff to secure the last semifinal berth.

No. 2 La Salle Green Archers, who also tote a win-once edge, clash with third-ranked NU Bulldogs in the other pairing.

Here’s the men’s Final Four schedule:

In women’s action, defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs and No. 2 UST Tigresses headline the Final Four, a dominant cast who booked their seats a week before the elimination round wrapped up. (READ: Defending champ NU, UST banner Final Four cast)

Here’s their semifinal schedule:

The UP Fighting Maroons forged a do-or-duel for the last finals spot after upsetting the UST Tigresses. The winner will battle defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs in a best-of-three series.

Semis knockout: UP vs UST, November 25, Saturday, 11 am, Araneta Coliseum

Playoff for No. 4 spot

Defending champion Ateneo and gutsy Adamson ended the men’s basketball elimination round with similar 7-7 records, forcing a playoff for the last Final Four berth on Wednesday, November 22. The winner will go up against the UP Fighting Maroons, the elimination round topnotcher with a 12-2 record, in the semifinals.

No. 2 La Salle Green Archers (11-3) and fourth-ranked NU Bulldogs (10-4) clash in the other semifinal pairing. (TEAM STANDINGS: UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball)

LIVE UPDATES: Ateneo vs Adamson, UAAP Season 86 playoff – November 22

Second round

UAAP Season 86 basketball action heats up as the top teams look to keep the status quo. (TEAM STANDINGS: UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball)

In men’s play, the UP Fighting Maroons, the NU Bulldogs, and the La Salle Green Archers secured their Final Four spots, but the twice-to-beat bonus – the incentive given to the top two teams at the end of the elimination round – remains up for grabs.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles and the Adamson Soaring Falcons, meanwhile, fight for the last semifinal seat up to the very last day of the double round-robin.

Here’s the men’s basketball second round schedule:

In women’s action, UP and NU also ended the first round at the top two spots with similar 6-1 slates followed by UST (5-2), Ateneo (5-2), Adamson (2-5), La Salle (2-5), FEU (2-5), and UE (0-7).

Here’s the women’s basketball second round schedule:

UPDATE: The November 8 women’s games will be at the Mall of Asia Arena.

First round

Back in full swing, UAAP men’s basketball parades not only the usual favorites but also several rising contenders in Season 86.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles gun for back-to-back titles, but the UP Fighting Maroons aim to reclaim the crown, as the surprising NU Bulldogs and Adamson Falcons also vie to challenge the top seeds.

After missing the Final Four bus last season, traditional favorites La Salle Green Archers and FEU Tamaraws plan to climb back to the top.

The UE Red Warriors and UST Growling Tigers, likewise, look to challenge the contenders with beefed-up crews.

Here’s the men’s basketball first round schedule: