MANILA, Philippines – The top-seeded University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers are eyeing a return trip to the Finals after missing the Final Four last season, but standing in their way are the proud defending champions National University (NU) Bulldogs.

The Growling Tigers, after a one-year absence in the semifinals, are back and will need to win just one game to advance to the Finals for the third time in four years.

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, find themselves in the same position that they were last year – with the fourth seed, needing to overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage.

Here's how the two teams match-up against each other:

Season review:

After an unsuccessful campaign in Season 77, UST was a team on a mission in Season 78. Even with Karim Abdul having to work his way into shape, the Growling Tigers leaned on Ed Daquioag and Kevin Ferrer to get off to a strong start in the first round.

Daquioag was the surprise package for UST, as the athletic guard had a breakout year, while Ferrer submitted an MVP-caliber campaign. Abdul, after initially struggling due to injury, looks to be back in peak form just in time for the semifinals.

(READ: The many faces of Ed Daquioag)

The Growling Tigers have also received solid contributions from players like Louie Vigil and Kent Lao, although majority of UST's offense still comes from its "Big Three."

NU, the defending champions, opened their title-retention campaign with three consecutive losses. At one point, they toted a 3-6 win-loss record and teetered on the brink of elimination. But the Bulldogs wound up winning four of their last five games, and received a bit of a gift from Far Eastern University, their beaten opponents in last season's Finals, as the Tamaraws booted out De La Salle University to seal the fourth seed in the Bulldogs' favor.

Much like last year, the Bulldogs are relying on their defense to power them to victories. They allow only 65.1 points per game, the best mark in the league, and opponents only shoot 36.9% against the defending champions.

NU's offense, however, was a problem for much of the year: they played at the slowest pace in the league and had huge trouble putting points on the board, oftentimes suffering prolonged droughts. Towards the end of the season, however, they have gotten strong performances from bench players like JJay Alejandro and Reden Celda to back up the steady pair of Alfred Aroga and Gelo Alolino.

Elimination round history:

Round 1: NU 55, UST 54

NU handed UST its first loss of Season 78, and they have Alfred Aroga to thank for the victory. The import fired the game-winning fadeaway jump shot over the outstretched arms of Karim Abdul with just 14 seconds to go, lifting the Bulldogs to their first win.

Round 2: UST 65, NU 57

UST got its vengeance in the second round, carving out a 65-57 win thanks to an 11-2 run in the fourth quarter. The Tigers' "Big Three" of Abdul, Ferrer, and Daquioag combined for 36 points in the win.

What they said:

"It's just the start. We're not aiming for just there (the Final Four). We're still aiming for the Finals, so we're gonna go back to practice and work harder." – UST center Karim Abdul

"This might sound like a broken record, but 'yung defense namin ang natulong sa amin para manalo in the last three games." – NU head coach Eric Altamirano

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