Adamson University and National University secured the last two UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s 3×3 Basketball semifinal slots, though in contrasting fashion, Saturday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.
The Soaring Falcons punched their ticket by narrowly escaping NU, 18-17, breaking a four-way tie with the Bulldogs, FEU Tamaraws, and UP Fighting Maroons to clinch the third seed with a 4-3 record.
“I feel really good. God was on our side. We were hitting shots that were very well contested. NU played really good defense. Just happy to secure the semifinals,” said Adamson Fil-Australian winger Noah Pacquiao, who led the way with 10 points and three rebounds against NU.
Later in the day, the Tamaraws defeated the UE Red Warriors, 21-15, behind 11 points from Kirby Mongcopa, while the Fighting Maroons fell to No. 2 seed Ateneo Blue Eagles, 12-15. The results created a three-way tie at 3-4 among NU, UP, and FEU.
NU, UP, and FEU also finished level in head-to-head play, with UP edging FEU 20-18 in overtime last April 28, FEU beating NU 16-13 last April 30, and NU defeating UP 21-16 last Friday.
The third tiebreak also ended in a deadlock, with all three teams finishing the elimination round with identical 120 total points scored.
Under the FIBA 3×3 rulebook, the next tiebreak is based on the most recent tournament standings, which was UAAP Season 87.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
NU’s fourth-place finish last season proved decisive, as FEU placed sixth and UP seventh, allowing the Bulldogs to complete the semifinal cast of this tournament, supported by Wilson Philippines and Ayala Malls and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
La Salle, which completed a seven-game sweep of the eliminations capped by a 21-18 win over UST, will face NU in the semifinals at 1 p.m., while Ateneo and Adamson clash in the other pairing at 1:20 p.m.
UST and UE finished with identical 1-6 records, with the Growling Tigers securing seventh place after an 18-15 win over the Red Warriors last Friday.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the women’s division, the Lady Falcons avoided such complications after routing the Lady Warriors, 18-8, to secure the last semifinals spot.
Jam Meniano showed the way for Adamson with seven points and seven rebounds.
“Just so happy that we are back in the final four, way back in 2024 pa last Final Four namin. Ang saya na maibalik namin ang school namin sa Final Four. Hindi rin basta-basta yung daan na tinahak namin,” said Cheska Apag, who added five points and three rebounds for Adamson.
Adamson, which finished the elimination round with a 4-3 record, will take on top seed UST, which completed a seven-game sweep of the round with a 19-15 win over UP, in the semis set at 12:20 p.m.
“Well, nothing is impossible naman. Knowing UST, talagang tough team talaga lalo sa skills. Lalaban at lalaban kami,” added Apag, who was part of the Gilas Women team that finished in second place during the 3×3 Asia Cup last month.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In a preview of their semis matchup, Ateneo scraped past FEU, taking an 18-16 victory, with Kacey dela Rosa scoring 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
The Lady Archers finished fifth with a dominant 19-8 win over the Lady Bulldogs, with Kyla Go scoring 13 points built on four deuces.
UP finished sixth in the division with a 2-5 record, while NU and UE both ended with identical 1-6 slates.
However, the Lady Bulldogs secured seventh place after winning their head-to-head matchup, 19-16, pushing UE to eighth place.
