By: Jerod Orcullo
Ateneo de Manila University and University of Santo Tomas emerged as the teams to beat heading into the UAAP Season 87 Esports NBA2K tournament semifinals, finishing the group stage with identical 3-0 records on Thursday at the Quantum Skyview Deck of Gateway 2 Mall in Araneta City.
The defending champions Blue Eagles kept their bid for back-to-back titles alive after eliminating the UP Fighting Maroons from Final Four contention with a dominant 2-0 sweep.
“Lahat naman ng preparation namin and gameplan nagawa naman namin. Proud ako sa performance na pinakita ng boys. Right now, focused kami sa Adamson, one step at a time. Balik kami sa film-review, tignan namin kung ano pang pwede namin ma-add sa game namin,” said Blue Eagles head coach Nite Alparas.
Meanwhile, UST’s Teletigers claimed the top seed in Group B by sweeping the Adamson Soaring Falcons in an assertive performance, forcing the Falcons into the second seed.
“Nagbunga yung pinaghihirapan namin araw-araw. Sana magtuloy-tuloy hanggang bukas sa semis,” said Teletigers head coach Augusto De Jesus.
The semifinals are set for Friday, with Ateneo taking on Adamson, and UST clashing with De La Salle University in a best-of-three series where teams will be forced to abide by “Special Team Selection Rules.”
Under this system, the selection of NBA teams will be limited based on a tier list.
Tier 3 teams will be used in Game 1, Tier 2 teams will be used in Game 2, while Tier 1 teams can only be used in the final game.
All matches are streamed live via the Pilipinas Live app.
To kick off their series against UP, Ateneo fielded Luis Jovellanos against Harvey Buban, who kept the game competitive through three quarters. However, Jovallenos found his rhythm in the fourth, pulling away to seal a 60-45 win.
In the second game, Paolo Medina—Ateneo’s most consistent performer in the tournament with a perfect 4-0 personal record in the eliminations—took over. Despite leading by just one point, 15-14, at the end of the first quarter, Medina went on a blistering 16-6 run in the second to build a commanding 31-19 advantage with 3:15 left in the half.
UP’s Isaac Javier tried to mount a comeback, but Medina maintained control and wrapped up the game, 64-54.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST, coming off convincing wins against National University and University of the East, continued its dominant streak with Gideon Del Val’s Boston Celtics overpowering Regimio Aguinaldo’s Minnesota Timberwolves, 77-51, in Game 1.
However, tournament rules prevented UST from selecting Boston again in back-to-back games. Joaquin Obado, Adamson’s next representative, quickly claimed the Celtics, forcing UST to pivot.
De Jesus then chose the Philadelphia 76ers for Daniel Delos Reyes.
“Nung Game 2, nabigla kami kasi hindi kami makapag-pick ng team namin, Boston nakuha nila. No choice kami, nag-Philadelphia kami… nilabas niya yung pinagpraktisan namin, talagang crucial yung nangyari so masayang masaya lang,” said De Jesus.
Clinging to a slim 60-58 lead with two minutes left, Delos Reyes converted an and-one play using Tyrese Maxey to widen the gap to five. Obado answered with a swift Chet Holmgren layup, cutting the deficit to one possession. But with the clock winding down, Delos Reyes fed the ball to Joel Embiid in the post and hit a clutch fadeaway jumper, sealing the game at 65-60.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
De La Salle University secured the final spot in the semifinals after a hard-fought series win over Far Eastern University.
In Game 1, Keagan Yap relied on his trusted San Antonio Spurs to face Dale Estacio’s Oklahoma City Thunder. Yap built a 45-32 lead by halftime, but Estacio stormed back, pulling within two points, 57-55, in the final minute.
Yap responded with what appeared to be a dagger three-pointer by Victor Wembanyama at the 47-second mark. Yet, Estacio wasn’t done, draining back-to-back baskets with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With 2.7 seconds remaining, Yap finally put the game away with a breakaway dunk by Devin Vassell, securing a 62-59 win.
Gabriel Bandola then officially eliminated FEU from playoff contention by closing out Game 2, 50-43.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, National University ended its campaign on a high note, picking up its first win of the tournament with a sweep over University of the East.
JM Constantino dominated Louise Ordoña’s Oklahoma City Thunder with a 71-46 victory in Game 1, while Dominic Peñaflorida capped off NU’s season with a resounding 67-42 win over Ceanne Manalastas.
