The Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles clamped down on the De La Salle University Green Archers and rode on the broad shoulders of Rabeh Al-Hussaini to move a win away of getting UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball Championship crown, 69 - 61.

Al-Hussaini brushed off early championship jitters before taking over game 1 in a dominating performance, finishing with 31 points on 14 of 26 field goal shooting and adding 9 rebounds. La Salle found no answer to contain Ateneo's center.

If defense really wins championship, then Ateneo is more than ready to claim this year's title as they showed once again that they can held down La Salle to poor shooting percentage. Nonoy Baclao anchored Ateneo's interior defense with his seven blocks.

The win also marked the first time that the Eagles won over the Archers three consecutive times. And unless La Salle can make the adjustment in defending Al-Hussaini and improve their field goal shooting on game 2, then they will be swept by Ateneo on the way to crown.

Chris Tiu committed two early fouls and Al-Hussaini appeared jittery at the start of the game. Rookie Ryan Buenafe played with great poise in his first UAAP finals game to lead the Eagles in the first half 36 - 29.

In the second half, Al-Hussaini stamped his class over his defenders and Ateneo's defense proved enough to thwart any La Salle run.

Rico Maierhoffer was the lone bright spot for the Archers but his efforts was not enough. JV Casio had a better game this time around but unable to rally his team to victory.

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Defending champion De La Salle University Green Archers and top-seeded Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles will dispute UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball championship after dispatching respective rivals in the crossover semis.

The Archers took the best challenge the Far Eastern University Tamaraws could offer and came out victorious 67 -62 in the first game. FEU led most of the game until James Mangahas' heroics in the endgame.

Mangahas, who had a career game, completed a crucial three-point play to put La Salle ahead 64 - 62 with only 35.2 seconds left and scored three more points to lead the Archers past the Tamaraws. Baracael missed two pressure packed free throws in the ensuing play. Paul Sanga's missed trey to force overtime sealed FEU's defeat

In the other game, the Blue Eagles showed why their the number 1 team of the season so far as they clobbered the University of the East Red Warriors, 70 - 50 to arrange another final showdown with their archnemesis La Salle.

The Warriors made a game out of it only in the opening quarter. The rest of the game was a display of Ateneo's domination.

The Eagles closed the first quarter on a 10 - 0 blast, outscored the Warriors 15 - 10 in the 2nd, broke the game wide open in the third and started the fourth quarter with eight straight points to put the outcome beyond doubt.

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The De La Salle University Green Archers digged down deep to their well of experience to eke out an escape win against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws 62 - 59 in their play-off game to determine the No. 2 team in Season 71 Final Four of the UAAP Men's Basketball.

JV Casio bounced back from arguably his worst performance in the UAAP to lead the Archers to another twice-to-beat advantage in the final four. History-wise, La Salle always get to the finals when having that advantage.

Casio's experience in pressure-packed games was in display as he scored 16 points that included two clutch lay-ups to thwart the Tamaraws rally.

The pressure of this crucial game affected both teams as they combined in a turn-over-filled opening half. FEU was just slightly ahead 25 - 23 going to the break.

The experienced Archers composed themselves in the second half, hitting their stride early to taste their first lead of the game 29 - 28 after Malabes scored five straight points.

The Archers forced the Tamaraws into more turnovers and stretched their lead to eleven 45 - 34 with a little over two minutes left in the quarter.

Fernandez' trey and Cervantes' tip-in allowed to Tams to stay close 39 - 47 as the quarter ended.

FEU wilted to the pressure at the start of the fourth. Coach Capacio was called for a technical foul and Baracael was tagged with an unsportsmalike foul. Aiding La Salle to enjoy its biggest margin of the game, 56 - 41.

With La Salle seemingly about to turn the game into a blow-out, FEU turn to their defense to start an 11 - 2 run and turn the momentum to their side.

Casio scored on a clutch lay-up to stem the tide of the Tams uprising to give La Salle an eight point lead 60 - 52 with three and a half minute left to play.

FEU battled back with 5 straight points to make it 57 - 60 with still 1:40 to go. DLSU turn to their main man once again as Casio delivered on another clutch lay-up to maintain distance from FEU.

Cawaling scored a basket and FEU was able to force a turnover and have the last possession. Cawaling had a wide open three to force overtime but missed, allowing La Salle to escape with win.

DLSU is just a win away from reaching the finals and defend their crown.

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The final four cast of the UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball is now complete.

Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles
De La Salle Univesity Green Archers / Far Eastern University Tamaraws
University of the East Warriors

Only the positioning as to who is no. 2 and no. 3 will be determined.

Which team do you think will make it all the way? Read on for my predictions.


Final Possibilities and Prediction:

ADMU vs DLSU

An epic finals match between two archrivals teeming with subplot rivalries. Tiu vs Casio. Coach Pumaren vs Coach Black. Their second round meeting might prove to be a championship preview.

On paper, the Eagles look more solid. Al Hussaini has tremendous improvement. Nonoy Baclao's rebounding and defense is an integral part of ADMU. Guards Tiu, Salamat, Buenafe and Reyes can provide the outside and slashing offense.

Coach Pumaren is the multi-titled coach that probably has seen everything in college basketball. I know he can make the adjustments needed for the Archers to repeat. JV Casio is deadly and battle tested. Rico Maierhoffer if he stay away from fouls can make life difficult for the Eagles.
The only weakness I think DLSU has is a solid pointguard. This might be the baptism of fire for Simon Atkins.

Prediction: DLSU in three games

ADMU vs FEU

As the only team so far to beat the league-leading Eagles, the Tamaraws stood a good chance of claiming season 71's trophy.

Being coached by one of the best defensive players Philippine Basketball has seen, Coach Capacio will definitely rely on defense more. Aldrech Ramos and Reil Cervantes must hold down Al Hussaini and Baclao, controlling the rebounds might prove to be the key in winning the championship. Barroca, Fernandez and Cawaling should play well to counter Tiu, Salamat and Reyes. Adolfo and Baracael need to stop Buenafe.

Prediction: ADMU in two games.

UE - DLSU

Having beaten the defending champs in the first round will suit well for the warriors and give them confidence to avenge last year's finals loss. This matchup I would like to see.

I think both teams are almost identical in their system and evenly matched in manpower. Although, the Warriors lack a go-to-guy in the caliber of JV Casio.

I hope to see a Paul Lee and JV Casio shootout.

Prediction: UE in three games.

FEU - UE

A final's match between these U-belt neighbors is unlikely but still possible. And a game between them is highly entertaining with the first meeting decided only by two points.

Advantage goes to UE, having gone to the finals last year.

Prediction: UE in three games.

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