NBA legends’ namesakes Steve Nash Enriquez and Ray Allen Torres led National University and Adamson University to perfect starts in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s 3×3 Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
In the women’s division, both University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines also remained unbeaten, each securing a 3-0 record in this tournament supported by Molten.
Enriquez powered the Bulldogs to a dramatic 21-20 come-from-behind win over the UE Red Warriors. He knocked down back-to-back deuces with 3:01 remaining to complete their 3-0 sweep of the day.
“Mindset ko lang ay hindi pa tapos yung laban, wala pa namang tinanghal na panalo so tuloy. Kumbaga sa amin sa Bisaya, padayon lang,” said Enriquez, who missed his first three attempts from beyond the arc before sinking the clutch shots that broke UE’s hearts.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Torres delivered the dagger basket — his ninth point of the game — in Adamson’s 21-15 victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles, helping the Soaring Falcons stay on top with a 3-0 record as well.
Torres shot an impressive 7-of-10 from the field, while Cedrick Manzano also had a breakout performance with nine points on an 8-of-9 clip, along with nine rebounds.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For the Golden Tigresses to preserve their spotless record, they had to stay composed in a highly physical encounter against the De La Salle Lady Archers, emerging with a 20-13 win.
Tensions escalated at the 7:53 mark after La Salle’s Kyla Sunga and Tricia Mendoza, along with UST’s Kent Pastrana and CJ Maglupay, exchanged words, leading to one unsportsmanlike foul and four technical fouls.
Two more technicals were later called in the game.
“Ine-expect naman namin ‘yung mga physicality pero dapat sa loob lang ng court, don’t take it personally. Nagpadala pareho ‘yung both teams kaya naging mainit sa simula pero laban pa rin kahit nagkaroon ng ganon, focus lang,” said Soriano, who led UST with seven points built on three two-pointers.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other hand, UP improved to 3-0 after a 22-16 triumph over fellow unbeaten Far Eastern University, capped by a game-winning deuce from Kaye Pesquera with 12.1 seconds left.
Pesquera finished with eight points and four rebounds, while Christie Bariquit chipped in seven points on a flawless 6-of-6 shooting performance.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In other men’s matches, La Salle caught fire from deep, sinking six of seven two-point attempts to rout UST, 22-10.
Janrey Pasaol, on the other hand, then exploded for 14 points, including the game-winning free throw, to lift UE past UP, 21-20.
FEU stands in solo third with a 2-1 record, while UE, La Salle, Ateneo, and UST are all tied at 1-2.
UP is the only winless team in the men’s division at 0-3.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Over in the women’s division, the Lady Bulldogs — powered by the core four of Alicia Villanueva, Dandan Alterado, Nicole Pring, and Aliyah Ronquillo — displayed their depth in a 21-13 win against the Lady Warriors.
Meanwhile, Ateneo picked up its first victory with a thrilling 21-18 upset of the previously unbeaten Adamson Lady Falcons.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Junize Calago hit back-to-back deuces to erase a 16-18 deficit and secure the win with 53.7 seconds remaining.
NU and FEU are currently tied for third with 2-1 records, followed by La Salle and Ateneo at 1-2.
Adamson and UE continue to search for their first win of the tournament.
