AsiaBasket’s NSAC 2026 is heating up after Days 3 and 4 of the elimination round. Here’s Rebanse’s recap of all the action:
NSAC 2026 Day 3: Perpetual, FEU, La Salle, and Ateneo Get Wins
Perpetual 84, Mapua 78
Playing at the Blue Eagle Gym last April 18, the Perpetual Help Altas made a convincing debut after handing the San Sebastian Stags their second straight loss, 84-78, in the continuation of NSAC 2026.
For most of the first quarter, the Altas were in control, even holding a 24-17 lead. But in the second quarter, the trio of Ralph Gabat and Alwin Alforque sparked Mapua’s offense as they tied the game, 34-all.
Mark Gojo Cruz then showcased his improved three-point shooting to help Perpetual regain control and ultimately build a 48-36 lead heading into intermission. The lead ballooned to as much as 17 points as the Altas cruised to victory.
Gojo Cruz earned best player honors after finishing with 21 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 3-of-5 beyond the arc.
FEU 100, Letran 76
Meanwhile, the FEU Tamaraws made it back-to-back wins in Group C as they overpowered the Letran Knights, 100-76.
After a tightly contested match through three quarters, the duo of Kirby Mongcopa and Mo Konateh came alive, disrupting the Knights’ defense both outside and inside.
Konateh had a monster double-double of 31 points and 20 boards, while Mongcopa had 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists.
La Salle 83, Adamson 69
Next, the La Salle Green Archers came out victorious over the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 83-69.
The Falcons came out aggressive, forcing turnovers through full-court pressure and racing to a 21-8 lead behind transition baskets. But the Green Archers trimmed the gap after Doy Dungo’s four-point play and Janti Miller’s triple.
Momentum shifted in the second period when La Salle tightened its defense and controlled the tempo. Back-to-back threes from Earl Abadam completed the comeback and pushed the UAAP champs ahead, 41-35, at halftime.
Adamson attempted a fourth-quarter rally, cutting the deficit to 10, but La Salle responded with key runs led by Miller and Luis Pablo.
Pablo had a team-high 17 points, followed by Miller and Cortez with 12 and 11, respectively.
Ateneo 119, Benilde 115
For the NSAC 2026 main event on Saturday, the Ateneo Blue Eagles survived the Benilde Blazers, 119-115, in a thrilling overtime match.
The Blue Eagles set the tone early in a tight opening quarter, trading baskets with the Blazers before settling for a 54-45 halftime advantage with contributions from Shawn Tuano and Jared Bahay.
Bahay sparked a 7-0 run early in the final frame to restore order, but turnovers and Benilde’s persistence kept the game within reach.
A clutch triple by Ralph Baliquig in the closing seconds forced a 104-all deadlock, sending the contest into overtime.
In the extra period, Bahay took over, scoring 9 of his 24 points to steer Ateneo ahead.
Key putbacks from Logan Baltazar and Gamber, along with steady free-throw shooting, helped the Blue Eagles fend off the Blazers’ final push and secure the four-point victory.
NSAC 2026 Day 4: Letran, UST, La Salle, and UP Come Out Victorious
Letran 72, St. Claire 64
Less than 24 hours after getting blown out, Letran bounced back with a win over St. Claire, 72-64.
The Knights raced out to an early 8-0 lead led by Titing Manalili. In the second frame, it was Jimboy Estrada’s turn to shine for Letran as he poured in 8 points in 8 minutes.
St. Claire rallied in the final period, but it wasn’t enough to get the victory.
Gammad had 14 points with 2 assists and a block, while Manalili showed his passing skills yet again with a team-high 6 assists.
UST 75, NU 68
Next, the UST Growling Tigers outlasted the NU Bulldogs, 75-68, in their NSAC 2026 debut.
UST came out sharp, jumping to a 13-5 lead behind an early three-pointer from Koji Buenaflor. NU quickly responded with a 15-6 run, highlighted by consecutive triples, to close the gap to 20-19.
The Tigers regained control midway through the second quarter, breaking a 30-all tie with a dominant 18-4 surge fueled by Amiel Acido, who scored 11 in that stretch to give UST a 48-34 halftime advantage.
NU tightened its defense in the fourth, holding the Tigers to just six points and cutting the margin to single digits late. However, UST maintained composure down the stretch to secure the win.
Acido led the way with 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Buenaflor and Peter Osang added 10 each.
La Salle 99, Mapua 83
Meanwhile, La Salle capped its group stage assignment in NSAC 2026 with a dominant 99-83 victory over the Mapua Cardinals.
La Salle’s size advantage, coupled with a suffocating full-court press, disrupted Mapua’s rhythm and fueled a 26-18 first-quarter lead.
The Green Archers sustained their momentum in the second period, tightening their zone defense and converting turnovers into fastbreak points to stretch the gap to double digits and a 51-38 lead at halftime.
La Salle answered every push by Mapua with timely baskets from Seven Gagate and Doy Dungo to maintain a comfortable 72-62 cushion entering the fourth, where the Green Archers cruised.
Mason Amos finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead La Salle.
UP 91, Ateneo 88
The much-anticipated “Battle of Katipunan” ended Sunday’s NSAC 2026 slate, and it lived up to the hype, with UP pulling out a 91-88 victory.
Jared Bahay and Kieffer Alas helped Ateneo build a 26-22 lead at the end of the first quarter. But UP surged late in the second quarter behind their big man, Gani Stevens, and big shots by Rey Romogat, who had 18 points in the first half alone.
Ateneo briefly regained control in the third, going up 58-54 after a strong stretch from Kyle Gamber and Shawn Tuano.
However, defensive lapses proved costly as the Fighting Maroons unleashed a decisive 13-0 run led by Russel Ogana as UP built a double-digit lead heading into the fourth, 69-59.
Ateneo mounted a late rally behind Tuano, Ian Espinosa, and Andrew Bongo, trimming the deficit to just two in the closing moments.
Former UAAP Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre put the icing on the cake as he drilled a clutch mid-range jumper and sank two free throws to give UP its opening win of the tournament.
Remogat had 22 points, while Gani had 16 points and 11 boards. Tuano led Ateneo with 18 points and 6 rebounds, while Bahay added 13 points.
