UNIVERSITY of the Philippines and La Salle seek to capitalize their twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four as they play lower-ranked foes today in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The top-ranked Fighting Maroons play defending champion Ateneo, which is in unfamiliar territory as the No. 4 squad, in another saga of the “Battle of Katipunan” at 2 p. m.

Currently the hottest team in the league with a eight-game winning streak, the second-ranked Green Archers take on No. 3 National University in the other Final Four pairing.

UP, which has a league-best 12-2 record, is eyeing for its third consecutive Finals appearance, and the fourth in the last five seasons.

La Salle, which finished with a 11-3 card highlighted by a second round sweep, hopes to reach the biggest stage for the first time since 2017.

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, stumbled late in the eliminations, losing two straight to settle for third place at 10-4.

It was a roller-coaster elims for the Blue Eagles, as they wound up with an even 7-7 card. Ateneo had to beat Adamson in a playoff last Wednesday to extend its Final Four streak to nine seasons.

On the cusp of having a shot of reclaiming the throne they lost in Season 85 late last year, the process continues for coach Goldwin Monteverde’s Fighting Maroons.

“I think sa start pa lang ng season, alam natin lahat ng teams very competitive,” said Monteverde, who steered UP in ending a 36-year title drought in Season 84. “Getting here at this spot is just part of it pero alam naman natin na di pa tapos. Whatever we worked hard for, we just have to follow through on it. We just have to wait kung sino makakalaban namin and prepare for them.

“It’s just a result of yung hard work namin. Lahat naman nito, di naman ito nakaplano. Like I said, whatever comes through, we have to prepare just to fight over every challenges. Kung saan tayo nakarating ngayon, at least we’re thankful but it’s not yet done,” he added.

Jared Brown, who shone in the Blue Eagles’ 70-48 victory over the Falcons, remains upbeat in their matchup with the Fighting Maroons.

“We have momentum coming into Saturday, all we have to do is follow what our coaches want to do and execute it as well as we can,” Brown said.

The Green Archers’ quest to end a seven-year title drought was boosted by their impressive elims campaign under new coach Topex Robinson.

But for Mike Phillips, La Salle’s journey has just began with its 72-69 conquest of fabled rival Ateneo.

“Malayo na, pero malayo pa,” said the 6-foot-8 Phillips. “Hopefully, we can use this momentum going into the Final Four.”

Victories by the Blue Eagles and the Bulldogs will send the Final Four to a decider on Wednesday.

In the women’s Final Four, No. 2 University of Santo Tomas and No. 3 UP dispute the right to face eight-peat seeking NU in the do-or-die match at 11 a.m.

The Fighting Maroons negated the Tigresses twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four with a 88-80 overtime last Wednesday.

“It’s gonna be a daunting task but it is very much possible because I know UP, as a community and as a team, has been in this kind of situation,” said coach Paul Ramos.

“We’re just trying to emulate those things, (think on) what facets of our game we can improve on so that we can put ourselves again in a better position to win that ballgame,” he added.

The Lady Bulldogs’ lone loss came from the hands of the Fighting Maroons in the first round, while they completed a head-to-head sweep of the Tigresses.

NU advanced to the title round for a ninth season in a row following a 58-43 conquest of Ateneo.