The University of the Philippine Fighting and the Ateneo De Manila University Blue will once again clash in the finals of the UAAP Men's Basketball Tournament.
The two squads sealed their spot in the best-of-three finals series after dispatching their semifinals opponents on Wednesday, December 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
UP-NU, 69-61
The Fighting Maroons survived the National University Bulldogs, 69-61, in their Final Four matchup.
Malick Diouf finished with 17 points and 21 rebounds while Zav Lucero scored 21 points for the victory of the defending champions.
UP needed an 11-point scoring run to climb up from a 61-58 hole in the final quarter and seize the win.
Jake Figueroa registered 16 points and 14 rebounds while Kean Baclaan chipped in 14 points for the Bulldogs.
ATENEO - ADAMSON, 81-60
The Eagles, meanwhile, sealed their sixth straight Finals appearance by routing the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 81-60.
Forthsky Padrigao scored 16 points and Chris Koon added 15 points for Ateneo to take home the win.
The Eagles never looked back after ending the first half with a ten-point advantage, 39-29.
The Falcons saw themselves looking at a 27-point deficit going into the final period after their opponents went into a 19-point scoring run in the third quarter.
Jerom Lastimosa scored 10 points to pace Adamson.
Both UP and Ateneo have a bone to pick with their rivals in the upcoming Battle of Katipunan.
The Fighting Maroons will seek to avenge their 75-67 loss at the hands of the Eagles in the second round of the tournament.
Ateneo, meanwhile, had their dreams for a fourth straight championship come to an end last season after losing to UP in the finals.
Game one of the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball tournament will kick off on Sunday, December 11, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
