Preview: Do or die for Ateneo, UST

ADMU Blue Eagles (7-6) vs UST Growling Tigers (7-6)

Game time – 4:00 PM

First round meeting: ADMU (61) – (57) UST

Kiefer Ravena – 13 points, 8 rebounds

READ: Ateneo scores big win over UST

Why ADMU will win: An early exit for them will be a painful one as they started the season with so much promise, despite losing some of their marquee players to graduation. After Kiefer Ravena’s injury a couple of months back, Ateneo has had some shaky moments in a year where they plan to take home their 6th straight title. As the reigning champs, Wednesday will be about nothing but pride. Hell-bent as they are, this squad from Katipunan has shown tremendous composure in situations like these in the past year.

Why UST will win: Midway through the second round, coach Pido Jarencio was losing hope that they would make it in the postseason, citing Season 76 as a ‘disappointment.’ As they wrap up the year however, UST’s dreams of returning to the finals remain so much alive. In a rematch of last year’s final dance, the Growling Tigers now has the chance to exact revenge on their last season’s championship tormentors by knocking them out earlier than what anyone would expect.

Key match-up:

Kiefer Ravena (12 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.3 APG) vs Jeric Teng (11.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2 APG)

For Ateneo, their chances of making it to the playoffs would hinge on their leader and superstar guard Ravena. In down the wire games like this one, the Phenom has always come up big for Ateneo.

Jeric Teng, on the other hand, will very much want to return to form as they face do-or-die Wednesday and the prospect of dethroning the reigning champs. If they don’t make it through today, this would be the last game of Teng in the UAAP so expect him to give everything he has got as they try to extend their lives into the Final Four.

X-factors:

ADMU: Juami Tiongson

Tiongson played a vital role in Game 2 of the Blue Eagles’ series against the Tigers last season. As Ateneo’s team captain this year, he is expected to lead the 5-time defending champions again with all the experience he carries on his back.

UST: Kevin Ferrer

If they are to make it to the Final Four, Ferrer will be a crucial piece for the Growling Tigers defense especially against a dangerous squad like Ateneo. A double-double performance for Ferrer will also not hurt for UST.

What this game means: It’s all or nothing for both squads. With 3 playoff tickets already taken away, only one team will be able to complete the semis cast. This is ADMU’s golden opportunity to keep their 6-peat hopes alive, while UST wants to exact revenge on the team that toppled them in the previous season. – With reports from Levi Verora/Rappler.com