Far Eastern University-Diliman (FEU-D) and Ateneo de Manila University dominated their respective opponents ahead of their crucial clash on 8 March.

The Baby Tamaraws drubbed University of the East, 71-62, while the Blue Eagles romped past the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 103-57, Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

FEU-D and Ateneo will face off at the close of the elimination round with a twice-to-beat advantage at stake.

The Baby Tamaraws are 11-2, the provisional leaders, as National University Nazareth School (10-2) is still facing Adamson University (4-8) at press time. The Blue Eagles, who defeated FEU-D in the first round, 90-71, are 10-3.

Meanwhile, first-year Blue Eagles head coach Bacon Austria acknowledged the challenge of facing FEU-D again.

FEU-D was only up by eight at halftime, but they turned up the intensity in the third quarter, holding UE to just three points on 1-of-14 shooting while forcing six turnovers, building a 61-38 lead.

However, the Baby Tamaraws’ defense relaxed late in the game. UE took advantage, cutting the lead to as low as seven points, 69-62, much to the chagrin of Reyes.

Khean Esperanza starred for the Baby Tamaraws, scoring 22 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the field, adding five rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

Yosef Raneses and Marc Burgos contributed 11 points each, with Raneses dishing out six assists and Burgos grabbing seven rebounds. Cabs Cabonilas, the leading Most Valuable Player candidate, tallied 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks.