The National University Men’s Team and both the University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines Women’s Team have all clinched a semi finals berth after Day 3 of the UAAP Season 87 3×3 Basketball.
Bulldogs Takes Top Spot
After ending their Day 2 campaign being 3 – 0, the N.U. Men’s team earned the top spot in the standings after beating both Ateneo and Adamson.
Against Ateneo, the defensive scheme was around Enriquez which paved the way for Jolo Manansala to shine and get the 18 to 17 win. Jolo scored 7 points and shot 60% from the field while Enriquez had only 3 points, 2 assists and a horrible 14% shooting from the field.
When they faced Adamson, who suffered their first loss in the tournament against the UST Growling Tigers, it took a total team effort to beat them. PJ Palacielo scored 6 points and 5 rebounds while the rest of the team, Enriquez, Manansala and Jake Figueroa all had 5 points each. Final score was 21 to 15.
The Adamson Falcons were pulled in the depths in Day 3 as they suffered 2 straight losses. Allen Torres had the losing effort against UST with 8 points, 4 rebounds and shot 75% from the field. Then against N.U., Cedrick Manzano had the game high 6 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks but it wasn’t enough to get the win.
With N.U. being 5 – 0 and Adamson being 3 – 2, the last three semifinals spots are up for grabs in the Men’s tournament.
Considering that aside from Adamson, both the UST Tigers and U.E. Red Warriors have the record of 3 wins and 2 losses.
Ice Danting took the teams’ spotlight after scoring 8 points, 4 rebounds and was 55% from the field in a 21 – 18 victory against the Falcons. During their game against the FEU Tamaraws, it was Amiel Acido who posted 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 steals. Winning another close game, 22 – 20.
After only being 1 – 2 in Day 2 of the competition, the Red Warriors made a statement in winning 2 straight games against U.P. and Ateneo.
Vlair Lingolingo had 12 points and 2 rebounds in the 21 – 15 win versus the Fighting Maroons. Facing the Blue Eagles, Lingolingo made the game winning shot to claim the 17 – 16 victory against Ateneo. He had 12 points and 10 rebounds in that crucial game.
Tigresses and Fighting Maroons Remains Unbeaten
The ladies of the UST Growling Tigresses and the U.P. Fighting Maroons became 5 – 0 in the Women’s tournament, booking a spot in the semis.
Louna Ozar led the Fighting Maroons in easily dispatching the U.E. Lady Warriors, 21 – 6. Ozar had 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and was 75% from the field. The game against the De La Salle Green Archers though proved to be a tougher match.
The Fighting Maroons had all their players to step up in the 13 – 11 against the Green Archers. Kaye Pesquera had 4 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. While Ozar, Christie Bariquit and Maw Maw all shared 3 points.
For the Tigresses, led by Kent Pastrana, they managed to beat the Adamson Lady Falcons, 21 – 12. Pastrana had 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and had an unbelievable 70% shooting from the field. Then, in their game versus the FEU Lady Tamaraws, it was CJ Maglupay who scored a game high 8 points and 6 rebounds. Their 21 – 15 win against the Lady Tamaraws was a testament that a 3×3 team’s success is not given in a rush.
It can be recalled that both FEU and UST participated in the WMPBL’s Inaugural Season where the Tigresses were the 1st Runner Ups after losing in the Finals.
Coming in at the #3 spot, though not assured yet of a Semis berth, is the N.U. Lady Bulldogs who ended the Day 3 contest with a 3 – 2 record.
They beat Ateneo, 17 – 15, as Dan Alterado had 10 points, 4 rebounds and a surprising 70% shooting from the field. But they lost against the Lady Falcons, 21 – 17, with Marga Villanueva scoring the most points off the bench with 8 points.
There are only 2 spots left for the Semis in the Women’s tournament. Aside from N.U., there are multiple teams that have the 2 wins and 3 losses record. FEU, De La Salle and Ateneo can all still make it to the next round.
Action resumes tomorrow and here are the other results in both men’s and women’s tournaments as well as the latest team standings.
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| Photo Credits: The UAAP | |
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| Photo Credits: The UAAP | |
