De La Salle University solidified its status as the powerhouse of UAAP Collegiate Men’s 3×3 Basketball, securing its third consecutive championship, while Ateneo de Manila University achieved a major milestone by clinching its first-ever title in the women’s division during the finals held on May 4, 2025, at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque.
Dynasty for the Green Archers in Men’s
The Green Archers, who entered the Final Four as the lowest seed, completed a gritty championship run by stunning the higher-seeded University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 15-12, in the men’s final. Their path to the title wasn’t easy—La Salle had to claw its way back from a rocky start, finishing the eliminations at 4-3 following a key roster switch that brought in Earl Abadam for Vhoris Marasigan.
In the semifinals, the Archers pulled off a major upset over top-ranked National University, 17-14, behind the steady leadership of rookie standout Doy Dungo. Dungo’s stellar play continued into the finals, where he led all scorers with seven points and was later named tournament MVP. EJ Abadam added four points and five rebounds in the title match.
UST, led by Perpetual Help rookie Amiel Acido’s eight-point effort, tried to rally in the closing moments, trimming the deficit to three with just under two minutes left. But La Salle’s composed defense held firm to seal the championship triumph.
La Salle’s climb into the Final Four required clutch performances late in the elimination round. On May 3, the Archers outclassed University of the East, 21-13, in a win-or-go-home game to secure the last semifinal slot in a three-way tie with UE and Adamson. The tiebreaker came down to total points scored, with La Salle edging UE by a razor-thin margin, 130–129.
Adamson, meanwhile, had earned the third seed after scoring a tournament-high 135 total points. Ray Allen Torres and Cedrick Manzano were instrumental in their campaign, with Manzano also contributing 11 rebounds in their earlier 22-19 win over Far Eastern University.
UP’s Sean Alter also capped off the tournament with a win, as the Fighting Maroons edged the Blue Eagles, 17-15, to conclude their run with two tournament victories.
The bronze medal match saw Adamson clinch third place with a dramatic 21-20 win over NU, as Torres hit the game-winner with 9:52.2 remaining on the clock.
Blue Eagles Make History in Women’s
Over in the women’s division, it was Ateneo’s turn to shine. The Blue Eagles captured their first UAAP Women’s 3×3 crown after a thrilling 21-17 (8:20) win over the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the championship match. Two-time 5-on-5 UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa led the charge with a double-double—11 points and 10 rebounds—while Junize Calago added seven points, including a crucial two-pointer that broke a 17-all deadlock. Rookie Kai Oani chipped in with three points to cap a balanced team effort.
Dela Rosa’s dominance carried over from the semifinals, where she tallied seven points and 12 boards to help Ateneo dethrone defending champion UST, 14-10. FEU, for its part, earned a finals berth by edging out second-seeded UP, 13-12, in a low-scoring but intense semifinal clash.
In the women’s bronze medal game, UST salvaged third place with a narrow 15-14 win over the Fighting Maroons. CJ Maglupay anchored UST’s effort with nine points on 8-of-11 shooting, along with six rebounds.
The battle for Final Four spots in the women’s division came down to the wire. With UST and UP already assured of semifinals berths heading into the last day of eliminations, four teams—NU, Ateneo, FEU, and Adamson—remained in contention for the remaining slots.
UST ended NU’s hopes with a 21–16 victory behind Maglupay’s offensive explosion. FEU secured its place with a 16–14 win over Adamson, powered by Yvette Villanueva’s eight points and seven rebounds. Ateneo then pulled off a shocker by defeating UP, 21–16, as Dela Rosa exploded for 11 points and 11 rebounds in a breakout performance.
FEU was awarded the third seed based on a prior 21–9 win against Ateneo in the eliminations, setting up the semifinal matchups: UST vs. Ateneo and UP vs. FEU.
Though they fell short in the women’s bracket, the De La Salle Lady Archers ended their campaign with a 13–8 win over the Lady Warriors in a non-bearing game, powered by Tricia Mendoza and Kyle Sunga.
Glimpse of Season 89 5×5 Basketball?
The 2025 UAAP 3×3 tournament once again highlighted the growing depth and competitiveness across both divisions. While La Salle’s consistency in the men’s game reaffirmed their dominance, Ateneo’s emergence in the women’s field signaled a new, exciting chapter in the storied rivalry.
With rising talents like Doy Dungo, EJ Abadam, and Kacey Dela Rosa stepping into bigger roles, and rookies like Amiel Acido and Kai Oani making immediate impacts, the future of collegiate 3×3 basketball in the Philippines looks brighter than ever before.
The tournament showcased individual brilliance, tactical teamwork, resilience, and a growing passion for the fast-paced 3×3 format among UAAP schools. A possible preview of the upcoming UAAP Season 89 for basketball may have been displayed throughout this tournament.
Considering that the UP Fighting Maroons are the reigning champions in Men’s 5×5 basketball with La Salle as the previous runners-up, it’s going to be an exciting season to watch. Meanwhile, on the women’s side, it’s the N.U. Lady Bulldogs, who will try to defend their title against the UST Tigresses, were named runners-up last season.
As teams now shift their focus to preparations for the next season, both La Salle and Ateneo have set a new bar, while other squads will undoubtedly be eyeing redemption and revenge.
