Far Eastern University-Diliman (FEU-D) and Ateneo de Manila University booked the first two Final Four tickets in contrasting fashion in Season 88 University Athletic Association of the Philippines boys’ basketball tournament on Wednesday afternoon at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

Most Valuable Player frontrunner Cabs Cabonilas led the Baby Tamaraws to a wire-to-wire 103-52 victory over University of the Philippines Integrated School to secure their ninth consecutive Final Four appearance.

Meanwhile, Noah Banal and Nigerian center Jude Eriobu combined for 51 points as the Blue Eagles sent defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) to the brink of elimination in a 90-83 thriller, marking their return to the Final Four for the first time since Season 82 in 2020.

With the wins, FEU-D stayed on top the eight-team field with a 10-2 record, while Ateneo bolstered its twice-to-beat aspirations with a 9-3 slate.

“I am happy for the program more than anything else. I went back coaching because of the program, more than myself or whoever. Our work does not stop here because we still have a chance to grab the twice-to-beat advantage. I think that’s our second goal to get that twice-to-beat,” Blue Eagles head coach Bacon Austria said.

“It means a lot to me and to the program because before the pandemic, we were in the Final Four. Then, the pandemic hit and we were in a slump, in seventh place for the past few years. It’s a good boost for us (and) it’s possible because of the support of the school.”

After the Blue Eagles and the Tiger Cubs traded eight consecutive three-pointers until midway through the payoff period — highlighted by the exchange of triples between Simon Pulongbarit and Jay-M Leal — the turning point came when UST co-captain Charles Esteban fouled out with Ateneo down 77-78, 3:57 remaining.

From that moment, the Blue Eagles seized the opportunity with a late 7-2 run — built on two Sky Jazul free throws, a Ziv Espinas layup, and a dagger triple from Banal — putting the Tiger Cubs in an 84-80 hole with 89 seconds left.

UST stayed within striking distance on a Jetlee Melano triple, but Ateneo closed out the game with one Espinas free throw, an Eriobu inside hit, and another Banal charity stripe make, restoring an 88-83 advantage with 22.7 seconds remaining.

The Tiger Cubs struggled to close the gap as both Jhon Canapi and Melano missed separate three-point attempts, putting UST’s title defense in peril.

Banal finished with 28 points on 10-of-19 shooting, two rebounds, and one steal, while Eriobu dominated with 23 points, 17 rebounds, six blocks and one steal.

Leal contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal, while Zane Kallos orchestrated the offense with seven points, 11 assists, three rebounds and one steal.