Reigning champion De La Salle University made its entry to the Final Four after taking care of business on the penultimate day of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s 3×3 Basketball Tournament, Saturday at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay’s Activity Center.
The Green Archers moved past Far Eastern University, 21-16, before clamping down rival Ateneo de Manila University, 21-9.
They remain in the lead with an immaculate 6-0 record.
“For me, one game at a time. Tomorrow may elimination game pa kami isa, after nun yung Final Four. Step by step,” said reigning MVP CJ Austria, who scored 10 and six points, respectively, against the Tamaraws and the Blue Eagles.
“Sana makuha namin yung semis tapos yung championship siyempre kasi yun naman yung goal namin.
“Be prepared lang naman kami pa lagi. Yun lang, ‘wag magre-relax sa game and kung kaya namin tapusin yung 21 points, gagawin namin,” added Austria, who has Jonnel Policarpio, EJ Abadam, and Aaron Buensalida as teammates.
(C) Tommy Luis King/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
On the other hand, the University of the East quartet of Wello Lingolingo, Ethan Galang, Jack Cruz-Dumont, and Keian Spandonis continued their hot streak.
They made it four games in a row after taking down National University (21-14) and Adamson University (21-15), to force a tie at the second to fourth spots with its victims through identical 4-2 records.
The Red Warriors and the Bulldogs, however, have the inside track with 113 points each. On the other hand, the Soaring Falcons trail with 108 points.
UST scored a W-0 victory over defaulted University of the Philippines before eliminating FEU, who is now in sixth with a 2-4 record, from contention.
They nailed a 19-14 victory to hike their record to 3-3 in fifth place and remain in the running for a spot in the Final Four.
UP, who already forfeited its campaign, is in the seventh slot with a 1-5 record while Ateneo remained last, going winless on Day 3 to fall to 0-6.
(C) Tommy Luis King/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Meanwhile, reigning champion University of Sto. Tomas scored a pair of crucial victories to remain unbeaten at the top and clinch a spot in the Women’s Final Four.
Trailing by one point against FEU, Tantoy Ferrer nailed back-to-back baskets to give the Tigresses a 19-18 edge.m Then Tacky Tacatac nailed a two-pointer with 2:05 remaining on the clock to give her side a close 21-18 victory.
Kent Pastrana led UST with 10 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go along with eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Ferrer collected eight markers and seven boards against the Lady Tamaraws.
“Yun nga syempre grateful kami na binless kami ni Lord na magkaroon ng 6-0 na standing. Inexecute lang naman namin yung game plan namin and kapag may adjustments, makikinig kami kila coach,” said Ferrer.
The Tigresses then handed UE a 21-8 beating to remain unscathed with a 6-0 record.
Pastrana once again led the way with eight points, while Ferrer and Tacatac chipped in six points apiece in the dominant win.
“Yung mindset stay humble pa rin and ‘wag magkumpyansa. Kailangan uhaw pa rin kami sa panalo para tuloy-tuloy na ‘to hanggang makapasok kami sa championship,” she added.
(C) Alfraz Jammang/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
NU’s Tin Cayabyab, Ann Pingol, Aloha Betanio, and Boni Solis, on the other hand, dispatched UE, 18-9, and then staved off UP, 15-12, to keep its hold of the second spot with a 5-1 slate.
Adamson’s April Tano, Elaine Etang, Kat Agojo, and Cheska Apag earned gutsy wins over La Salle (19-17) and FEU (17-15) to also secure a slot in the Final Four.
With the scores locked at 17, Apag nailed two free throws in overtime to help the Lady Falcons fend off the Lady Archers. Tano then nailed the dagger two-pointer with less than a minute left to power the win over the Lady Tamaraws.
La Salle suffered a setback, losing back-to-back games against Adamson and Ateneo de Manila University, to fall to 3-3 at the fourth spot.
The Lady Archers fielded Ann Mendoza, Lee Sario, Luisa San Juan, and Betina Binaohan. They still have the advantage in securing the last Final Four slot but must win their final match against UP to complete the cast.
The Fighting Maroons’ four of Christie Bariquit, Marielle Vingno, Kaye Pesquera, and Achrissa Maw, on the other hand, stand at fifth with a 2-4 card and must beat La Salle by more than seven points to clinch the final semifinals seat.
On the other hand, despite their 2-4 record, the Blue Eagles are now eliminated due to their inferior points tally. Ateneo gained hope after reigning women’s 5-on-5 MVP Kacey Dela Rosa replaced Ylyssa Eufemiano.
However, it was not enough as they split their Day 3 assignments.
Also out of contention are FEU and UE with identical 1-5 records.
