Action between Adamson and UST in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament, September 15, 2024. UAAP MediaMANILA -- Defending champion University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University dispute the second and last Finals spot in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Game time is at 3:00 p.m., with the winner advancing to the final phase of the stepladder against unbeaten National University in the best-of-3 championship series.
The Lady Bulldogs advanced straight to the finals after a 14-game sweep of the elimination round, while the Tigresses took the second seed with their 12-2 win-loss record.
READ: NU women complete elims sweep, barge into Finals
"Ang importante kasi now in the Final Four is how we play our offense and our defense. Kung sino man yung makakalaban namin, it will be a good start na kung paano kami nagplay na 40 minutes solid yung depensa," said coach Haydee Ong.
"I think coming into the Final Four, it's more on the mental toughness and the mindset kasi yung game sa stepladder is a knockout game not like the past seasons. Importante talaga na we should start strong and end strong," she added.
The Tigresses won both of their elimination round encounters against the Lady Falcons, but Adamson pushed them to the limit before absorbing a 58-55 loss in the first round.
Gunning for its first championship appearance since 2011, Adamson is not contented by assuring itself of a third place finish.
"It's about wanting it more. If you want it, they will not give it to you. We have to work for it. These players have been through a lot, questioning each other, challenging each other," said Lady Falcons coach Ryan Monteclaro.
"It was a healthy competition in a way na responding to the big effort that we're asking is not just normal 'eh, it's becoming a habit," he added.
Adamson fended off Ateneo, 69-63, in overtime in a thrilling first step-ladder match on Sunday.
READ: Apag, Etang take charge as Adamson takes down Ateneo, sets up semis clash with UST
In the junior high school division, University of the East and Far Eastern University-Diliman look to make the most out of their respective twice-to-beat advantages to start the Final Four.
The Junior Warriors will open the three-game slate, aiming to dethrone reigning champions National University Nazareth School Bullpups at 11 a.m.
"We have to prepare ourselves. Improve on the things kung ano kailangan namin i-improve. Sarili muna namin kasi nung sa FEU-D game, ang dami namin nakitang things to improve on. We'll focus on ourselves first, especially heading into the Final Four," UE head coach Andrew Estrella said
Riding a six-game streak to close the eliminations, the Baby Tamaraws look to avenge their lone second-round loss, facing the UST Tiger Cubs at 1 p.m.
"Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na simula nung natalo kami sa NUNS [last season], lagi namin baon 'yon. Kung ano yung sakit na naramdaman namin, binabaon namin lagi 'yon at ginagawa naming experience 'yon. Sinasabi ko na hindi ka naman mabubuhay sa dumaan na, pero sinasabi ko na kung ano yung galit at inis natin, palitan natin ng trabaho," FEU-D head coach Muriel Garcia said.