University of Santo Tomas stayed unbeaten in the UAAP Season 88 19-and-under 3×3 basketball tournament after turning back Ateneo de Manila University, 22-16, Thursday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.
Joaqui Ludovice continued his scoring spree, finishing with 13 points built on four deuces to power the Tiger Cubs to a 4-0 record. They now need just one more win in the tournament, supported by Wilson Philippines and Ayala Malls, and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, to clinch a semifinals berth.
Kirk Cañete, Jettlee Melano, and Charles Esteban added three points apiece as Ateneo remained winless in four games.
Meanwhile, De La Salle-Zobel, National University-Nazareth School, and Far Eastern University-Diliman kept pace with the Tiger Cubs after securing separate wins to improve to 3-1.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Junior Archers leaned on Niño Ferrer’s 12 points to escape the Adamson Baby Falcons, 21-18.
“It’s good, actually. It’s my first time playing 3×3. We are happy to be 3-1 because last year, we only won two games. Moving forward, just keep doing well and sticking to the game plan,” said DLSZ’s graduating guard Maco Dabao, who chipped in four points.
“It’s very emotional. I’ve seen them almost every day last year. To see how much we’ve grown not just as players but as persons as well. It’s such a wholesome moment, and I wish them the best after this,” he added, reflecting on playing with Ferrer, Mark Borrero, and Champ Arejola for the last time in their high school careers.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Mhieko Natinga, for his part, delivered 13 points in the Bullpups’ 21-15 win over a three-man UE Junior Warriors squad.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Adrian Alagaban powered Far Eastern University-Diliman with 14 points on 8-of-11 shooting, lifting his side to a dominant 21-10 victory over UPIS Fighting Maroons.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Archrivals NUNS and UST also opened the girls’ division with commanding wins.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Lady Bullpups, behind eight points each from Ruiza Olmos and Queennie Cordero, cruised past the Blue Eagles, 21-9, while Katrina Insoy scored seven in the Junior Tigresses’ 16-10 win over the Lady Archers.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the 16-and-under division, the FEU-D trio of Dwayne Enriquez, Dwayne Cañete, and James Chavez survived UE, 20-16, to improve to 4-0.
Prince Cariño sat out the contest as he was under the weather.
Enriquez led the way with 12 points, while Cañete added seven as the Junior Warriors dropped to a 1-3 record.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Dave Regala and CJ Tabbuga combined for 15 points in UST’s dominant 22-8 win over DLSZ, lifting them into solo second at 3-1.
With the loss, the Junior Archers’ 16U squad fell to 2-2, joining a four-way tie with the Bullpups, Blue Eagles, and Baby Falcons.
The NUNS quartet of Jehove Gatumbato, Mark Arzola, Ian Manalo, and Dave Sabareza stunned defending champions Blue Eagles, 21-16, while Keefe Iledan and Edison Jordan combined for 20 points as Adamson overwhelmed UPIS, 21-9.
