By JONAS TERRADO

UAAP rivals Ateneo and La Salle moved closer to another
title showdown by downing separate rivals yesterday to barge into the
Final Four of the Fil-Oil Flying V "Final Challenge" of the 2008
Philippine Collegiate Championships at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Blue Eagles, the reigning UAAP champions, dumped
NCAA’s Mapua, 67-53, behind a strong fourth quarter performance while
the Archers, who finished runners-up to the Eagles, outlasted the
University of the East Warriors, 75-72.

Rico Maierhofer, the 6-foot-6 La Salle center, broke a
70-70 tie with two free-throws which was enough to unnerve the Warriors
with only 50 ticks left.

The Green Archers advanced to the next round against the winner of the San Beda-Arellano match on Wednesday.

"We’re lucky to survive this game," said La Salle head
coach Franz Pumaren after beating younger brother Dindo, UE’s coach,
for the third time this season.

Peejay Barua led La Salle with 17 points on 8-of-15
shooting along and four rebounds while Maierhofer added 12 points and
11 rebounds. JV Casio and James Mangahas scored 11 points each.

James Martinez paced the Warriors 21 points after
hitting 7-of-10 three-point shots while Elmer Espiritu recorded 15
points and 11 rebounds.

Despite their shooting woes, the Eagles managed to control the tempo of the game behind their sleek running game.

It was only in the fourth period where the Eagles finally pulled away as their shots started falling.

Rabeh Al-Hussaini, the reigning UAAP Most Valuable
Player, got into foul trouble early but still finished with a game-high
17 points. He also had 9 rebounds.

UAAP Finals MVP Nonoy Baclao was at his usual best, coming up with double-double performance with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The scores:
First Game

ATENEO 67 - Al-Hussaini 17, Baclao 12, Long 10, Baldos 7, Austria 6, Salva 5, Salamat 5, Reyes 3, Gonzaga 2, Sumalinog 0, Escueta 0.

MAPUA 53 - Mazo 14, Mangahas 12, Pascual N. 10, Banal 9, Guillermo 3, Pascual J. 3, Sarangay 2.

Quarters: 10-7; 25-21; 44-37; 67-53.
Second Game

LA SALLE 75 - Barua 17, Maierhofer 12,
Mangahas 11, Casio 11, Walsham 8, Malabes 7, Ferdinand 4, Bagatsing 3,
Villanueva 2, Mendoza 0, Webb 0.
UE 72 - Martinez 21, Espiritu 15, Lee 10, Zamar 9, Llagas 8, Reyes 7, Etrone 2, Noble 0, Tagarda 0, Lingganay 0, Bandaying 0.
Quarters: 18-9; 38-38 56-54; 75-72