Vyn Radovan | FCF
It’s a matchup 14 years in the making and the long wait is finally over.
These teams that have made their elimination round meetings as mini-playoff matches, and now one has 
a chance to be crowned as the new champion.
A long dormant rivalry between two elite squads, De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas will finally square off in the men’s basketball finals of UAAP Season 76 after last locking horns in an epic showdown back in 1999.
With the matchup upon us, here’s a look at what we is expected to be an instant classic:
History: UST tags DLSU as ‘bridesmaids’
Chris Cantonjos, Richard Yee, Estong Ballesteros, Dale Singson, Bal David.
These are some of the names that propelled UST to their romp from 1993 to 1996 under legendary head coach Aric del Rosario. During this spell, La Salle fell prey to the Tigers three consecutive times (1994-1996) and were affixed the unfortunate tag of “bridesmaids” during this era.
But in 1999, De La Salle was fresh off winning the title in the previous year and eventually vanquished the ghosts of the past against UST in a thrilling three-game finish, with the most memorable moment of the series being Dino Aldeguer’s trey to send the deciding Game Three into overtime.
In the past decade, however, both teams have made separate trips to the Finals and have last won championships in 2006 (UST), and 2007 (DLSU).
Thrilling finishes: Competitive fire fuels elimination round matchups
In the last few seasons, both teams have matched up and has produced some of the most memorable finishes.
UST fans may remember a young Jeric Fortuna in 2008 leading the Growling Tigers to a late-game resurgence in eventually giving them the win during their first round matchup. La Salle fans will remember one-hit wonder forward Arvie Bringas producing his best-ever game in the college ranks in a first round matchup in 2009.
Of course, La Salle’s Jeron Teng hit the game-winner in their second round matchup last season to get one over his older brother.
Vyn Radovan | FCF
No love lost: Teng brothers lock horns
For the first time in recent history, it’s the first time that brothers are facing each other in the final round — excluding the coaching matchup between Ateneo’s Joel Banal and FEU’s Koy Banal in 2003.
UST’s Jeric Teng, playing in his final year, seeks to redeem himself after losing out to Ateneo in last season’s finals. However, younger brother Jeron wishes to bring home the title back to Taft Avenue in his first-ever appearance.
The X-Factors: LA Revilla and Kevin Ferrer
If there are two key players picking up their game at the right time, it’s LA Revilla for DLSU and Kevin Ferrer for UST.
The only remaining member of the 2008 squad that last appeared in the finals, Revilla averaged a paltry 4.3 points in the elimination round, then tallied 17.5 points in their two matches against the Tamaraws to aid the Green Archers in advancing to the title round.
On the other hand, the former juniors MVP Ferrer stifled two-time UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks and put up timely baskets from long range in the fourth period of their do-or-die matchup against National University.
Vyn Radovan / Ericka Alcantara | FCF
Never say die: The Ginebra effect
If the head coaching matchup could speak for itself, it’s a battle between fiery coaches that believes in the credo of “never say die.”
Former Glowing Goldie Pido Jarencio, who was best known for his days with Ginebra San Miguel in the 1990s, has rubbed off his fiery spirit on his boys who have survived three consecutive elimination games — one against defending champions Ateneo in the final day of eliminations, then overcoming a twice-to-beat disadvantage against National University.
On the other hand, former Green Archers captain Juno Sauler was once part of the famed coaching staff of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Despite having a reserved demeanor since being suddenly anointed as head coach prior to the season, his guidance on the rag-tag Green and White squad has paid off through an ongoing nine-game winning streak that led their squad back to title contention.
