The UST Growling Tigers and NU Bulldogs arranged a clash for the Asiabasket NSAC 2026 College Basketball Campus Tour championship after slim victories in the semifinals on Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Amiel Acido Shines for UST in an Emotional Semis
UST outlasted defending UAAP champions La Salle Green Archers in overtime, 115-107, to punch its ticket to the Final.
However, chaos erupted during the final period.
Tempers flared early in the fourth quarter as multiple players were disqualified due to a scuffle and were thrown out of the game following a heated sequence at the 8:29 mark.
La Salle’s Vhoris Marasigan and UST’s Ivanne Calum, Mark Llemit, and Koji Buenaflor were all ejected, shifting the momentum of what had been a tightly contested battle.
The chaotic stretch set the stage for a tense finish, with the Green Archers leaning on Mason Amos and Jacob Cortez to force overtime after tying the game at 93-all at the end of regulation.
UST seized control in the extra period behind triples from Amiel Acido and Mur Alao, opening a six-point cushion. La Salle repeatedly cut the deficit to as low as three points, but the Growling Tigers answered every rally. Gelo Crisostomo eventually buried a dagger three-pointer with 1:11 remaining to give UST a commanding 110-99 lead.
The Growling Tigers maintained in control the rest of the way, with Acido adding the final basket to complete the 115-107 overtime victory.
“Ito ‘yung matagal na naming pinagtatrabahuhan ever since bumalik kami after ng season, talagang no days off talaga so really glad na nakuha namin ‘yung panalo and sana makuha namin ‘yung championship bukas,” said Acido after the match.
“We just trusted each other talaga… even though na may mga times na hindi pumapabor sa amin. We just really have to trust each other, stay composed para mas makapag-isip kami nang maayos and we’re glad na naging maganda ‘yung kinalabasan,” said the third-year Growling Tiger.
“Siguro mas dodoblehin namin ‘yung effort namin kasi championship game na eh. Di porket natalo namin ‘yung NU nung eliminations is ganun pa rin ‘yung lalaruin nila, so we expect na mas intense pa na laro,” Acido added.
Amiel Acido erupted for 33 points and 6 rebounds to lead UST, while Akowe contributed 24 points and 9 rebounds. Crisostomo flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Amos paced La Salle with 23 points, while Cortez added 20 points and 12 assists in the losing effort.
PJ Palacielo Saves the Day for NU
Meanwhile, NU stormed back in the fourth quarter to stun reigning NCAA champions San Beda Red Lions, 83-80.
The Bulldogs erased a 13-point deficit behind back-to-back triples from Paul Francisco and a crucial late three-pointer from their big man, PJ Palacielo. NU outscored San Beda, 27-19, in the final frame to turn a 61-56 deficit into an 83-80 victory.
Daniel Marcelo tried to keep the Red Lions afloat with 11 fourth-quarter points, but the Bulldogs held their ground in the closing seconds to complete the comeback.
“‘Yung style of basketball, nung second half lang kami naglaro so marami pa ring kailangang trabahuhin. So we need to correct ourselves pa rin,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa.
“Okay ‘yung intention naman nung mga players eh but ‘yung approach, dun kami nag-correct eh. Just like the first half, we were too aggressive so help kami nang help ‘nun. ‘Yun lang, we just stay disciplined in our defense and then sa offense namin, find the right people or right spot kung saan kami aatake,” said the sixth-year head coach for the Bulldogs.
“Kahit sino naman [kalaban namin sa final], ang kailangan lang namin ayusin muna ‘yung sarili namin. Just like today’s game, we correct ourselves talaga. We don’t care kung ano ‘yung ginagawa ng kalaban namin. So maybe dun ulit kami mag-iistart tomorrow, para at least magiging in favor ulit sa amin,” he added.
Palacielo finished with 22 points and 6 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs, while Francisco added 13 points. Reinhard Jumamoy chipped in 11 points and 4 rebounds.
For San Beda, Marcelo tallied 20 points and 8 rebounds in defeat.
Up Next: NU Bulldogs vs. UST Growling Tigers
The championship game between the NU Bulldogs and the UST Growling Tigers will take place later today at the Blue Eagle Gym in Katipunan. Tip-off will be at 4:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the battle for third place between San Beda and La Salle is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
