The NCAA Pre Final Four : Who says the NCAA is not as good as the UAAP? II

The UAAP Final Four starts this Saturday, and while the NCAA's season is still running, the Final Four teams of the NCAA is now settled, San Sebastian Stags, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, San Beda Red Lions, and the Letran Knights are in the Final Four. Although it seems the Final Four teams are now clinched, it does not mean the remaining games of the NCAA have no bearings and pretty much boring games, in fact it is the opposite, especially with the four teams in the Final Four and the Arellano University Chiefs, the most successful of the three guest teams this season. Let's have an outlook at each team's remaining games and see their chances in the Final Four.

1. San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags - If there were no guest teams this season and this was a usual conventional season of the NCAA, the Stags would have been in the Finals already with their 14-0 card. The Stags were not seen to be this big, but Rookie coach Ato Agustin was able to form this team and build on the last season's good campaign to revive the Stags' winning tradition. Although they are set on going 18-0, it will not be easy, as the face the top 5 teams in the last 4 games. They are set to take on Arellano, Letran, Jose Rizal and San Beda in the final game of the season. This is no easy task if the Stags wants a ticket at an outright Finals berth but if the Stags will be able to write history, this is something that could never happen again in a long time for Philippine Basketball, especially with a Rookie Head Coach in Ato Agustin.

2. Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers - After beating the Red Lions to regain the number 2 slot, the chances of securing the number two slot seems bright for JRU, as they warm up against the Angeles University Foundation Great Danes to prepare for the big matchup against the undefeated Stags, which will be crucial to both teams placing in the standings for the Final Four. This is a big game for JRU if they wish to maintain a top two spot this season, they must get this one against the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Bombers will end the Eliminations against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, as they have this big chance of securing the number two slot with a lighter schedule than the Red Lions.

3. San Beda Red Lions - Losing to the Heavy Bombers does not help their campaign this season, especially on getting that crucial second spot for the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. The Lions have a chance to get back on winning track as they face the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, but then things will start to get rough as they next face the Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights, and the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Red Lions' schedule is tougher than the Heavy Bombers but this will be a test of their character as a team heading into the Final Four as they aim to get that number two spot.

4. Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights - Well well well, the Chiefs have shot themselves in the foot, and this means the Letran Knights have clinched the Final Four slot. Now, the Knights has a very very slim chance for the number 2 slot if the Heavy Bombers or the Red Lions lose their three remaining games, which is very unlikely as these two teams are fighting to win games to get that number 2 seed themselves. The Knights face off two of their biggest rivals, the Golden Stags and the Red Lions to end their season and to prepare for their Final Four encounter.

5. Arellano University Chiefs - I take back what I said on the first article, they did not show any heart and passion on the game against the Mapua Cardinals as they ended their Final Four chances by losing to the Cardinals badly, 74-59. What seems to be a successful first apperance is now starting to become a disappointment, as the Chiefs are now on a 4 game losing skid and this streak might extend to 5 as they face on the San Sebastian Stags next. They can still duke it out on the last two games against the University of Perpetual Help Altas and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to end the season on a winning note.