UP men, women in Final Four

The UP men’s team barged into its fifth straight Final Four appearance as the women’s squad snapped a 15-year drought after victories against separate foes in the UAAP Season 86 basketball tournament yesterday in different venues.

As reigning MVP Malick Diouf and ace guard JD Cagulangan returned, the Maroons repelled the UE Warriors, 79-72, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum while their women’s counterparts trounced the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 70-55, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Both squads improved to 9-2 cards – the men’s team at No. 1 and the women’s at No. 2 – to book their respective places in the semifinals with hopes of maintaining their positions for a Top-Two finish that comes with twice-to-beat incentives.

Also in the men’s division, reigning champion Ateneo eliminated Santo Tomas (1-10), 67-59, for its first win in the second round after three straight losses to revamp its Final Four bid at 5-6.

Kai Ballungay (15), Chris Koon (12) and Jared Brown (10) joined forces in Tab Baldwin’s return from sick bay after missing the Blue Eagles’ 65-61 loss to the NU Bulldogs.

In the women’s play, Jainaba Konateh put up 17 points and 17 rebounds as seven-peat champion NU solidified its hold of the No. 1 spot with a 10-1 record after taking down La Salle (4-7), 73-64.

— John Bryan Ulanday