How they fared in UAAP Season 71

MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo Blue Eagles emerged triumphant last year with a dominant performance from the eliminations to the best-of-three title showdown with archrival La Salle Green Archers.

Here’s the recap of Season 71.

Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles (Elimination Round Record: 13-1 (1st); beat UE in the Final Four, beat DLSU in the Finals, 2-0.

Led by the vastly improved Rabeh Al-Hussaini, defensive stopper Nonoy Baclao and team captain Chris Tiu, Ateneo won its first five games before bowing to FEU.

Undaunted, the Blue Eagles went on to win their next eight matches to top the elimination round with a 13-1 record.

Ateneo then defeated UE in the Final Four, forging a highly anticipated championship with De La Salle.

Coach Norman Black and his squad capped a dream season by sweeping the Archers for the school’s fourth UAAP crown.

De La Salle Green Archers (Elimination Round Record: 11-3 (Tied for 2nd); beat FEU in playoff for 2nd and Final Four, lost to Ateneo in the Finals, 0-2.

La Salle began Season 71 with hopes of defending its title, finishing the elimination round tied for second with FEU at 11-3. The Green Archers then nipped the Tamaraws in the playoff for the twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four.

Coach Franz Pumaren led the Archers to their ninth Finals appearance in 11 years after winning over FEU in the semis. But the Archers fell short of their title-retention bid and settled for runner-up honors after being swept by the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their best-of-three title series.

Far Eastern University Tamaraws (Elimination Round Record: 11-3 (Tied for 2nd); lost to DLSU in a playoff for 2nd; lost to DLSU in the Final Four).

FEU finally made the Final Four for the first time in three years after adding three more wins from its previous campaign to finish tied with La Salle for second place after the elims at 11-3.

However, FEU bowed down to La Salle in a playoff for the twice-to-beat advantage before the Tams eventually dropped out of the race with a loss to the Archers in the Final Four.

FEU last won the championship in 2005.

University of the East Red Warriors (Elimination Round Record: 8-6 (4th); Lost to Ateneo in the Final Four).

UE made its seventh straight post-season appearance after finishing the elimination round in fourth place at 8-6.

The Red Warriors, however, lost to the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Final Four. The match also turned out to be coach Dino Pumaren’s final game with UE.

UE last won the UAAP crown in 1985.

University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers (Elimination Round Record: 6-8 (5th); missed Final Four).

UST missed the Final Four for the first time since winning the title in 2006.

Coach Pido Jarencio and his Growling Tigers finished in fifth place at 6-8.

Adamson University Soaring Falcons (Elimination Round Record: 3-11 (tied for 6th); missed Final Four).

Despite the return of coach Leo Austria, the only man to lead Adamson to the Final Four, the Falcons missed the semis for the second straight season.

The Falcons only managed to match their previous record at 3-11 and finished tied for sixth place with the UP Maroons.

Adamson’s only title came in 1977.

University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (Elimination Round Record: 3-11 (tied for 6th); missed Final Four).

Under new coach Aboy Castro, UP bounced back from a winless campaign in 2007, winning three games to tie Adamson for sixth. The Fighting Maroons, however, missed the Final Four for the 11th season in a row.

State U’s only title came in 1986.

National University Bulldogs (Elimination Round Record: 2-12 (8th); missed Final Four).

NU missed the Final Four for the seventh straight time.

Coach Manny Dandan and his Bulldogs finished dead last with a 2-12 record.

NU’s first and only championship came in 1954. – Compiled by UAAP Media Relations Office