Doubts about Tenipuri's future...

Read from some online forums that Tenipuri is coming to an end with 176 episodes?!!!Actually, judging from the fact that Nanjiro received a letter from some unknown person on an invitation for Ryoma to take part in the US Open, this seems to warn the viewers that Ryoma would most probably be leaving Seigaku anytime soon. I really don't want to see Tenipuri end at such a stage because there are many other characters who have yet to be fully developed like Yukimura, Tachibana. And personally, I still want to see Sanada, Atobe etc taking on Tezuka. The current school ranking matches would pitch some interesting combinations like Momo vs Kaidou and of course, Fuji vs Tezuka but if they were to end it like that without giving us the chance to see a full force Rikkaidai take on Seigaku or even Hyotei against Seigaku or Rikkaidai, I don't think I would be able to accept it. And it really doesn't make sense to end it at this stage since the endorsements and merchandise should be a lucrative business for TV Tokyo, Konomi-sensei and all the stakeholders in the Tenipuri franchise. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for Yukimura or Sanada against Tezuka or Atobe. The new OP is very good but the attention is all on Ryoma again. However, among all the OPs, I still like "Long Way" the best which has got cool footage of all the Seigaku guys. The ending song doesn't sound so nice though. Next week would be Momo and Kaidou's match...I have a feeling that Kaidou might win this and if Ryoma really goes to US, Momo should be able to make it to the regulars even IF he does lose to Kaidou.