Their opponent, the UE Red Warriors, finished third in the elimination round, and had to defeat the FEU Tamaraws twice in the semifinals in order to qualify.

In two key preseason tournaments, the FEU Tamaraws advanced in the semifinals of both the Nike Summer League and the Filoil Flying V Cup.

In the Nike Summer League, the Tamaraws were beaten by 3-time NCAA champions San Beda Red Lions 74–72 in the semifinals en route to their championship.

[3] In the Filoil Flying V Cup, the Tamaraws held off fellow UAAP team UE Red Warriors in the final 84–78 to win the championship.

[4] With NCAA Season 84 commissioner Joe Lipa at the helm, new rules were set up: Those which were retained are: League president Anton Montinola of Far Eastern University said that the method in breaking ties will use "common sense" as the tournament is prolonged by holding unnecessary matches.

On their second game against UE, they rallied from a 17-point deficit in the first half to win 72-57, and then they demolished UST with Emman Monfort doing the most damage to the Growling Tigers with his 6 treys and a career-high 20 points.

During the second round, Ateneo continued their rampage once again highlighted by a win against UP, avenging their only loss for the season and assuring them of the twice to beat advantage in the playoffs.

The host were beaten by the Ateneo Blue Eagles on opening day but rebounded with a win against last year's runner-up La Salle.

The Warriors blew out last year's losing finalist and 2007 finals nemesis La Salle 65-46 but they were demolished by Ateneo on their next game after giving up a 17-point lead in the first half.

The Tigers went on a 3-game losing skid with a blow out loss to already out Adamson, La Salle (which needed a win to stay in contention), and UE.

Tigers coach Pido Jarencio blamed the loss to poor execution; season MVP Dylan Ababou scored 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in a losing effort to cap off his last UAAP game.

[8] Prior to the series being started, FEU co-captain Andy Barroca had come under fire for subpar performances on the last stretch of the eliminations, with accusations of game-fixing hurled against him.