De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas completed “golden doubles” in UAAP Season 88, sweeping the collegiate men’s and women’s 3×3 basketball competitions, respectively, Sunday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
The Green Archers leaned on Luis Pablo to outlast the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 21-18, in the men’s division, keeping the crown in Taft for a fourth straight season and extending their winning streak in the sport to 13 games.
On the other side, the Growling Tigresses capped a dominant run with a 21-11 victory over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in the women’s division.
Both the Green Archers and the Growling Tigresses also captured the 5-on-5 titles last December.
The first-ever 3×3 rivalry final was a hard-fought affair, with Ateneo keeping in step with La Salle throughout. It was Pablo— the lone addition from last year’s championship squad—who took charge in the endgame to lift the Archers.
Clinging to a 16-15 lead, Pablo knocked down two free throws and a midrange jumper to give La Salle a four-point cushion. Shaun Tuano answered with a deuce to keep Ateneo alive, but Pablo pushed La Salle to match point with 1:01 remaining.
After another Tuano basket, Pablo attacked the lane and finished a soaring layup for the gold-clinching basket with 36.1 seconds left.
“All Glory to God, sobrang thankful kami kasi matagal na naming pinagpipray ito and talagang nagprepare kami para dito. Sobrang grateful lang and ang sarap sa feeling na nag pay off yung pinaghirapan namin,” said Pablo, who was adjudged tournament MVP after tallying 13 points on 9-of-11 shooting along with nine rebounds in the final.
Earl Abadam and Jcee Macalalag added five and three points, respectively, for La Salle.
Tuano led the Blue Eagles—who improved to a runner-up finish after placing last a year ago—with eight points.
Behind Pablo, La Salle defeated National University, 21-14, in the semifinals, while Ateneo turned to Tuano to oust Adamson University, 21-13, in the other Final Four pairing.
Paul Francisco paced the Bulldogs with eight points in their 17-13 win over the Soaring Falcons to secure the bronze medal.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Coi Danganan was unstoppable in the women’s final, pouring in nine points to power UST to its third women’s 3×3 title in four years.
Kent Pastrana and Brigette Santos chipped in five points apiece as the Tigresses completed a nine-game sweep of the tournament, winning by an average margin of 10.89 points per game.
It was a fitting ending to Pastrana’s collegiate career by securing the tournament MVP honors.
“Mixed emotions siya sobrang saya ko at the same time nalulungkot ako kasi iiwanan ko na yung team ko, yung minamahal ko na UST,” said Pastrana, who ends her UAAP career with four championships and two 3×3 MVP awards.
“Thank you sa mga teammates ko dahil sa puso nila sa laro. Sa coaches, supporters thank you sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa amin nakuha namin yung panalong ito.”
Victoria Pasilang led FEU with six points, while tournament leading scorer Amyah Espanol was held without a field goal and finished with just two points.
The Tigresses dominated Adamson, 21-10, in the semifinals, while the Lady Tamaraws dethroned defending champions Ateneo, 21-16, in the other semifinal.
Last season’s MVP Kacey Dela Rosa erupted for 12 points in the bronze medal match, leading Ateneo to a 16-14 victory over Adamson.
FEU’s Kirby Mongcopa was named the men’s Rookie of the Year, while UE’s Sybil Oñate took home the women’s Rookie of the Year honors.
