Do-or-die tiffs up in UAAP jrs

MANILA, Philippines -  Ateneo and National U try to complete a pair of reversals over their higher-seeded rivals as they clash with No. 1 FEU and No. 2 De La Salle-Zobel in a pair of sudden deaths today in the UAAP juniors Final Four at the Blue Eagles’ gym in Loyola.

Ateneo toppled FEU, 62-53, while NU clobbered DLS-Z, 66-52, to force a pair of knockout matches with the winners advancing to the finals set Saturday before the men’s duel between Ateneo and FEU at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

NU and DLS-Z clash at 1 p.m. while Ateneo and FEU collide at 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, De La Salle and Far Eastern University knock each other out at 9 a.m. for the right to meet Adamson U in the women’s finals.

The No. 2 Lady Falcons advanced to the finals with a 53-45 win over the UST Tigresses, while the Lady Archers beat the Lady Tamaraws, 57-54, to force the knockout match.

In badminton, National U tries to end a title drought that dates back to 1986 when its men’s team battles Ateneo in today’s UAAP Season 74 badminton finals at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

Games start at 9 a.m. with the Bulldogs hoping to finally win the crown.

But they have to contend with a Kennie Asuncion-coached Blue Eagles crew that won the title in the 2003-04 season.

Ateneo is expected to go all out today as its women’s team looks to complete a twin kill in the distaff side where it battles University of the East in the finals starting at 1 p.m. The Lady Eagles also copped the 2003-04 crown.

NU is backstopped by national team standout Philip Jofer Escueta, Andrei Babad and Sonny Boy Montilla, while Ateneo will be leaning on Toby Gadi, Pawee Natividad and Justin Natividad.