Defending champion De La Salle University made quick work of erstwhile unbeaten Ateneo de Manila University, 21-14, to stretch its winning run to six straight games in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s 3×3 Basketball Tournament on Friday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque.
What was expected to be a tightly contested rivalry clash between two undefeated squads instead turned into a one-sided affair, as the Green Archers needed just under eight minutes to dispatch the Blue Eagles and preserve their spotless record.
La Salle wasted no time asserting control, racing to a 9-3 lead in the opening three minutes and never looking back. Consecutive layups from Luis Pablo and a game-sealing two-pointer from Earl Abadam pushed Ateneo to its first loss of the tournament, which is supported by Wilson Philippines and Ayala Malls and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Pablo delivered a flawless outing, finishing with eight points on 8-of-8 shooting along with six rebounds. Reigning Most Valuable Player Doy Dungo added six points, while Abadam chipped in five.
“Obviously, it was a super fun game, especially dahil we were both undefeated and it’s always a rivalry game between La Salle and Ateneo. It was nice that we showed grit and played as a team today,” Pablo said.
“I think yung maganda sa team namin ay no matter what league, basta kami yung magkakasama, yung brotherhood naman namin kasi on and off the court yon. Whatever the bond na meron kami off the court, nagta-translate yon on the court,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, National University kept its semifinal hopes alive in the men’s division after outlasting University of the Philippines, 21-16. Vince Reyes led the Bulldogs with nine points and four rebounds, while Jolo Navarro and Tebol Garcia added five points each.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Adamson University also secured its third win after edging Far Eastern University, 21-18, highlighted by Noah Pacquiao’s game-winning two-pointer to snap their two-game skid. Pacquiao finished with 11 points on five deuces, seven rebounds, and three assists.
With these results, UP, NU, and Adamson are tied for third place with identical 3-3 records.
UP holds the edge in the tiebreaker with 108 points, followed by NU with 103 and Adamson with 89.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The return of Gelo Crisostomo—who helped the Philippines finish fourth in 3×3 Basketball at the 2026 Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China—sparked University of Santo Tomas to an 18-15 win over University of the East.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, UST continued its dominant run in the women’s division, cruising past De La Salle University, 22-8, to stay unbeaten in six games.
Graduating guard Kent Pastrana posted an all-around performance of six points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block, while Fil-Australian guard Erinn McAlary led the scoring with nine points, along with four rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Coi Danganan added seven points, four rebounds, and one steal.
“Lesson learned na sa amin yung nangyari sa amin last year — masyado kami naging kampante. Kung sino yung kalaban, doon kami magfo-focus. And laruin lang namin kung ano dapat yung laro. Dapat hindi namin ibaba yung laro namin. Kung ano yung pinagumpisahan namin, tuloy-tuloy lang dapat,” Pastrana said.
In earlier games, FEU and Ateneo secured semifinal berths in the women’s division after similar wins over NU and UE, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Lady Tamaraws dominated the Lady Bulldogs, 21-7, with Max Dela Torre sealing the win with back-to-back two-pointers.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles defeated the Lady Warriors, 21-8, behind the combined efforts of Kacey Dela Rosa and Hannah Lopez, who scored 12 combined points.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
University of the Philippines kept its semifinal hopes alive with a 20-15 upset of fourth-placed Adamson. Camille Nolasco led the way with nine points, all from three two-pointers.
The loss dropped Adamson to solo fourth with a 3-3 record, while UP joined La Salle in a 2-4 tie for fifth place.
UP holds the edge with 94 points, followed closely by La Salle with 89.
NU and UE have been eliminated from semifinal contention after finishing with identical 1-5 records.
