The standings look like modern art right now—chaotic, uneven, and open to interpretation. What isn’t abstract, though, is the math: La Salle sits at 6–5, clinging to that fourth spot with the urgency of a team that knows one misstep could send them tumbling into the pit where “almost” seasons go to die.
Behind them, Ateneo (5–6) is lurking—wounded but very much alive. And just one step further back, Adamson (5–7) and FEU (5–7) are hanging onto the cliff with their fingernails. One more loss from either could send them sliding off the Final Four map entirely.
This is where the complications begin.
THE MAGIC NUMBER: EIGHT
Let’s simplify the mess:
Eight wins = automatic Final Four qualification.
Seven wins = welcome to a potential multi-team traffic jam.
La Salle can still finish anywhere from solo third to completely missing the postseason. And the path is brutal:
La Salle’s Remaining Schedule
- Nov 19: Adamson
- Nov 22: UP
- Nov 26: Ateneo
Those are three opponents who all have something at stake—two of them fighting for survival, one fighting for a twice-to-beat cushion. This isn’t just a downward closing stretch; it’s a rumble.
Against Adamson, La Salle would face a dangerous team with desperation as its main driving force. Although the Archers shot down the Falcons on opening day, Adamson has played better since then, and the Green Archers have two fewer superstars.
THE OTHER CONTENDERS AND HOW THEY IMPACT LA SALLE
Adamson (5–7)
Remaining games:
- Nov 19 vs La Salle
- Nov 23 vs Ateneo
If the Falcons lose to La Salle, they fall to 5–8 and are effectively out. That’s a must-win for them—meaning it becomes a must-not-lose for La Salle. Expect a desperate, physical Adamson team.
Should Adamson stay alive, that battle of the blue birds on November 23 becomes a practical knockout game.
Ateneo (5–6)
Remaining games:
- Nov 19 vs UP
- Nov 23 vs Adamson
- Nov 26 vs La Salle
Ateneo’s route is statistical and practical madness: they could finish at 8–6, at 5–9, or in the middle of a giant 7–7 knot.
The skidding Eagles have to repeat over UP on November 19. A loss to their Katipunan unfriendly neighbors will send Ateneo to 5-7, a game away from an early Boracay vacation.
Should Ateneo clear either Adamson and UP, that rivalry match-up on November 26 could become a highly dramatic play-in game—winner advances, loser goes home.
FEU (5–7) – desperation times for Tams
Remaining games:
- Nov 22 vs UE
- Nov 26 vs UST
On paper, this is the friendliest closing schedule. If they sweep, they get to 7–7 and suddenly become a threat to pull La Salle into a tiebreaker snarl. If they lose once, the Tamaraws can take their rest and concentrate on keeping their talents for Season 89.
UST (7–5) – not out of the woods yet
Remaining games:
- Nov 23 vs NU
- Nov 26 vs FEU
UST is technically not safe either. A two-game skid drops them to 7–7, placing them right in the blender with everyone else.
WHAT LA SALLE NEEDS TO DO
1. Beat Adamson.
Win this one and the Green Archers hit 7–5, strengthening their hold on the fourth spot while knocking one pursuer out of the race entirely.
2. Try to steal one vs UP or Ateneo.
One more win gets them to 8–6. That’s the golden ticket.
Repeat over UP? They punch their ticket early.
Beat Ateneo? They clinch on the final day—and deal Ateneo a killer blow.
Beat neither? They fall into the 7–7 hazard zone.
IF LA SALLE ENDS UP AT 7–7
This is where things get messy.
A 7–7 finish means:
- They could face a playoff for 4th.
- They could end up in a multi-team tie with combinations involving UST, Ateneo, Adamson, FEU.
- Head-to-head records and quotient rules become the deciding factor.
In other words: 7–7 is dangerous.
8 wins is freedom.
THE BIG PICTURE
La Salle’s season is suddenly teetering between that emotional redemption and an epic collapse. They have the tools to control their destiny—but the room for error is microscopic.
In a year where the middle of the table has been one long tug-of-war, the final week will determine whether the Archers are contending in the playoffs or explaining in the offseason.
Three games.
Three desperate opponents.
One target: Eight wins.
The Final Four is still well within reach—but La Salle must go out and take it.
Kaya natin yan, Tiwala lang!
ANIMO LA SALLE
