PCCL Final Four Preview: All to play for

The race to become the one true national champion gets closer to the finish line, as the Philippine Collegiate Champions' League goes to the Final Four Weekend.

Defending champions and three-time reigning UAAP kings Ateneo are looking to extend their winning tradition to the PCCL, but they have to face stiff competition from the three remaining challengers: UP, San Beda, and the University of the Visayas for the MVP Trophy which will be awarded to the PCCL-National Collegiate Champion.

Without any intros, let's look at the match-ups which will take place at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Ateneo vs UV

In the first semifinal, the Blue Eagles square off with the Green Lancers once again since the former routed the CESAFI powerhouse last year to claim the title and the President's Cup, and just like their most recent meeting, Tab Baldwin's men are the favorites not only for this game, but also for the National Championship.

Despite the graduation of the Nieto Twins, Isaac Go and Mr. Basketball Thirdy Ravena, Ateneo is still stacked to the core, as Gilas Pilipinas member Dwight Ramos and Angelo Kouame continued their unbeaten streak since their title romp in their main league, now winning 19 straight by sweeping the UAAP-NCAA Challenge.

But don't count UV out just yet, as they they get their place in the last four by sweeping the Escandor Cup, taking down newly-crowned CESAFI kings Southwestern in the Visayas-Mindanao qualifiers.

Even with the exit of Rey Suerte, coach Gary Cortes will bank on their trio of Froiland Maglasang, Lassina Coulibaly and Jancork Cabahug as they banner the flag for the South as the last team standing.

UP vs San Beda

In contrast to the lopsided nature of the first match-up, this one's too close to call. Despite suffering massive manpower problems, both the Fighting Maroons and the Red Lions are eager to make a statement in the second semifinal.

For the then-dethroned titlists of the NCAA, Boyet Fernandez still have a solid squad despite not having a foreign reinforcement (no thanks, ManCom) and with Evan Nelle going to a non-contender in La Salle.

Their chemistry and their winning tradition gave them the second and last ticket from the UAAP-NCAA Challenge.

Key cogs such as James Canlas and Calvin Oftana are still around, so does the improving Kenmark Carino and Peter Alfaro. Remember they still do not have the fearsome foursome from Taytay (Andrada, Sanchez, Amsali, Ynot) yet.

Bo Perasol's State U were also bereft of key players for various reasons, with Jun Manzo graduated, the Gomez De Lianos sat out for the entire Season 83 and tried to go to Gilas (and eventually went to D-League and MPBL), and Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero.

But Bright Akhuetie is still around for UP, who are going to the Final Four as Luzon champions after a three-game sweep in Naga, with Diliman College being their biggest scare in that game as they played with just eight men, as that regionals saw the first glimpse of highly-touted transfers in ex-CEU slotman Malick Diouf and former La Salle guard Joel Cagulangan.

With the status of Rivero and Paras still questionable for tip-off, will UP able to fight tooth and nail with the deep San Beda squad? We'll find out.

Where to watch?

Check out the official PCCL page on Facebook for the details and updates on the Final Four.

Photo credit: Philippine Collegiate Champions League