Games Saturday:
(Mall of Asia Arena):
9 a.m. – DLSU vs UE (Men)
11 a.m. – AdU vs FEU (Men)
1 p.m. – DLSU vs UE (Women)
3 p.m. – AdU vs FEU (Women)
MANILA — University of Santo Tomas rebounded from a narrow third-set loss to win 25-11, 25-23, 23-25, 25-12 against University of the Philippines in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
The victory secured UST’s hold on the No. 2 spot.
Reg Jurado led the Golden Tigresses with 22 points, including 21 kills, while Angge Poyos added 21 kills, six digs, and four receptions. Rookie Marga Altea, a product of UST’s high school program, contributed nine points, including three service aces and two blocks.
UST’s assistant coach, Yani Fernandez, acknowledged the team’s recovery after a shaky third set, emphasizing the importance of resetting and regrouping for the dominant fourth set performance.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University
extended its winning streak, defeating University of the East, 25-23, 25-19, 25-20.
Rookie Kianne Olango played a key role with two blocks, two service aces, and 18 points, while Joan Monares added 13 points and seven receptions.
FEU head coach Tina Salak expressed optimism, aiming for a Final Four finish, despite challenging upcoming matches against Adamson and La Salle.
In the men’s division, FEU continued its strong performance with a 25-16, 25-23, 25-19 victory over UE. The Tamaraws remain unbeaten at 5-0, marking their best start in six years.
FEU’s assistant coach Rene Dulay credited the team’s perseverance and collaboration, especially with key players stepping up in the absence of MVP Josh Ybañez.
UST’s men’s team also stayed strong, sweeping UP, 25-18, 25-19, 25-11, with Popoy Colinares and JJ Macam leading the charge. Despite missing the injured Ybañez, FEU’s men’s team remains a dominant force, continuing to build on its perfect record.
Both UP and UE’s teams are facing challenges. UP’s women’s team has now lost three consecutive matches, while UE’s women have yet to win this season, dropping their fifth straight game. Meanwhile, the UP men’s team is still struggling with a 1-4 record, while UE’s men remain winless at 0-5.
Looking ahead as the season progresses, teams like UST and FEU are positioning themselves for a strong run toward the Final Four.
With tough upcoming matchups, all eyes are on how the contenders will adapt and rise to the challenge.
ia/mnm
Games Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8 a.m. – UPIS vs FEU-D (Boys)
10 a.m. – DLSZ vs UST (Boys)
12 noon – NU vs UST (Women Finals)
6 p.m. – UP vs DLSU (Men Finals)
MANILA — In a riveting face-off at the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum, the University of the Philippines and La Salle are set to deliver a nail-biting conclusion to the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
The previous games witnessed intense action, with the Fighting Maroons securing a historic 97-67 victory in the opener, only to face a resolute Green Archers who leveled the series with an 82-60 rout.
La Salle, fueled by their largest championship series win since 1998, is eager to replicate their dominance, while UP is determined to clinch the title after a 36-year hiatus.
The Finals decider, scheduled for 6 p.m., promises a packed arena at the Big Dome, buzzing with anticipation.
In a parallel showdown, the National University and the University of Santo Tomas vie for the women’s crown at 12 noon. UP, standing at 1-1 in Game 3 seeks redemption after losing their reign to Ateneo last December.
Coach Goldwin Monteverde is optimistic, putting aside the setback in Game 2, and looks forward to seizing a second chance at championship glory.
“Well, it is what it is kung ano nangyari today (Sunday). We’re not gonna make any reasons kung ano turnout ng game today, rather we’re gonna look inside us, kung ano dapat namin ginawa. Ang importante dito may Game 3 pa so nandoon pa yung chance namin. Yun lang, learn from it lang,” said Monteverde.
“It will count how to face challenges not alone, but to face challenges working together, helping each other out,” he added.
The Fighting Maroons started strong, racing to a 12-2 lead before the Green Archers used a strong second quarter to take control and never looked back.
This will be La Salle’s ninth Game 3 in the Final Four era – the most by any team in the league. The Green Archers are 3-5 all-time, as their most recent Finals decider appearance ended in a loss to the Blue Eagles, 86-88, in 2017.
Gunning for his first collegiate coaching title, La Salle mentor Topex Robinson is bracing for what UP will throw at them in the finale.
“We know that it’s gonna be hard. Winning a championship is gonna be hard. Playing against the top college team in the country right now is gonna be hard. But sa amin, at the moment we just keep on enjoying that game, the game that we love, the game that has been good to us, and not shy away from the responsibility of the result of the ball game,” said Robinson.
The Green Archers hope to cash in that they are the only unbeaten team in Araneta Coliseum this season, winning all their six games. Game 3 is scheduled on December 6 at Araneta Coliseum.
The Fighting Maroons hope to get aggressive on the glass. Newly-minted season MVP Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips combined for 26 of La Salle’s 58 rebounds, 12 more than UP.
Even graduating guard Evan Nelle also helped in rebounding to offset his poor four-point output by hauling down 12 boards.
“We ride on the saying that ‘no rebounds, no rings,'” said Robinson.
Camille Clarin, the Lady Bulldogs captain who dropped 18 points in the series-tying victory, is looking forward to the do-or-die match, where if the first two games were a gauge it will go down the wire.
“Playing in Game 3 is unfamiliar territory for us but fighting for a championship is not,” said Clarin.
“We’re just excited for the opportunity that we live to fight another day. We’re not gonna let it slip away from us and we’re gonna do everything we can to make sure we get that championship and it starts tomorrow,” she added.
Coach Haydee Ong, meanwhile, will use their Final Four duel with the Fighting Maroons as a motivation for the Tigresses to annex their first title since 2006.
“I told the players in the locker room that we’ve been here already,” Ong said.
“It’s the same scenario as against UP. This Wednesday is a do-or-die game, so let’s see what will happen,” she added.
(ai/mnm)
Games Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8 a.m. – UPIS vs FEU-D (Boys)
10 a.m. – DLSZ vs UST (Boys)
12 noon – NU vs UST (Women Finals)
6 p.m. – UP vs DLSU (Men Finals)
MANILA — The University of the Philippines remains plagued by the Game 2 curse.
La Salle asserted dominance in the second quarter and controlled the latter half, convincingly defeating UP, 82-60, Sunday (03 Dec 2023).
This victory forced another game in the UAAP men’s basketball Finals, captivating a crowd of 20,863 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Despite UP’s initial burst, securing a 12-2 lead with Malick Diouf’s consecutive baskets, La Salle adapted.
They weathered a 27-point onslaught in the first period, then strategically limited the Fighting Maroons to 11 points in each subsequent quarter, evening the series at one game apiece (1-1).
Once again, UP finds itself unable to clinch the series in Game 2, marking their fourth consecutive loss in such situations.
The decisive championship match is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the legendary Big Dome.
In the women’s division, National University disrupted the potential coronation of the University of Santo Tomas, winning 72-70 and pushing the series to a crucial Game 3. Camille Clarin’s stellar performance with 18 points and eight assists, along with Karl Pingol’s contribution of 14 points and five boards, thwarted the Tigresses’ bid to end a 17-year championship drought.
“Buhay pa kami. Buhay pa kami,” said NU coach Aris Dimaunahan. “Today’s mindset was just to stay alive, stay in the present. We don’t even think of Game 1, we don’t even think of Game 3. Our main focus is Game 2 only.”
Angel Surada scored the game’s biggest basket, a short jumper that gave the Lady Bulldogs a 72-68 cushion with 1:01 remaining.
Kent Pastrana, who was fouled in the next play and drilled both her foul line shots with 47.8 seconds left to cut UST’s deficit to 70-72, had a chance to become the hero but could not get the job done.
After Clarin uncharacteristically missed both free throws with 11.5 seconds left, the Tigresses had a shot of winning it all but Pastrana’s three-pointer from the left corner went short.
“We just had to remind ourselves why we do it, why we love the sport so much, and what’s really at stake. I think when we figured out why we’re doing it, that’s what gave us the heart to go out and execute until the last minute,” said Clarin.
In the high school boys’ basketball, Carl Manding scored the game-winning lay-up in the final 2.5 seconds as UST pulled off a narrow 82-81 win over Far Eastern University-Diliman.
The Tiger Cubs, who drew a game-high 25 points from Wacky Ludovice, survived a 37-point fourth quarter by the Baby Tamaraws to raise their record to 2-1.
Kieffer Alas posted his first triple-double of the season with 19 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists as La Salle-Zobel joined UST and NU-Nazareth at 2-1 with a 100-76 dismantling of UP Integrated School.
Manding, JB Lim, and Kurt Velasquez each scored 10 points for the Tiger Cubs.
Bonn Daja had a double-double of 18 points and 11 boards while Waki Espina (16), Charles Dimaano (14), and Andrei Pabellano (12) also logged double-digit scoring for the Junior Archers, who led by as much as 27 points.
(AI/MNM)
MANILA — In a spectacular showdown at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday (25 Nov 2023), the University of the Philippines (UP) triumphed over Ateneo with a 57-46 victory, putting an end to the Blue Eagles’ remarkable six-straight Finals appearances.
The Fighting Maroons, led by reigning MVP Malick Diouf’s outstanding performance, sealed their spot in the championship for the third consecutive year.
The top-ranked Fighting Maroons showcased their defensive prowess in a thrilling Final Four encounter, dominating the No. 4 Blue Eagles with a resilient third-quarter surge.
Now, UP eagerly awaits the winner between La Salle and National University in the upcoming best-of-three title series next week.
Diouf, who contributed 12 points, 16 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, credited the team’s collective effort and solid preparation for their success against Ateneo.
The defeat marked the end of Ateneo’s era under coach Tab Baldwin, breaking a streak of four championships in six Finals appearances.
Reflecting on the roller coaster season, Baldwin expressed pride in his team’s resilience amid battles both on and off the court.
Despite a 7-7 record in the elimination round and various challenges, the Blue Eagles fought valiantly throughout the season.
In the women’s division, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) secured a thrilling 87-83 win over UP, setting the stage for an intense championship clash with eight-time defending champions National University.
UST’s victory marked their second Finals appearance in the last three seasons, and they will face NU in a highly anticipated showdown.
For UP’s distaff side, their resilient journey in the Final Four came to an end, finishing in third place. Despite the defeat, coach Haydee Ong commended her team’s hard work and acknowledged UP for putting up a strong fight.
The Tigresses’ path to the Finals was not without challenges, as they faced an overtime battle against UP last Wednesday.
With Kent Pastrana leading with 18 points and Brigette Santos scoring 14, UST exploded for 36 points in the first period.
Nigerian sensation Favour Onoh, who set a league record with 30 rebounds, continued her stellar performance with 21 points and 14 boards, while Kaye Pesquera contributed 20 points.
As the UAAP basketball season unfolds, the stage is set for thrilling championship clashes, promising intense competition and unforgettable moments on the court.
The scores:
UP (57) – Diouf 12, Lopez 12, Felicilda 10, Abadiano 9, Torculas 7, Cansino 3, Cagulangan 2, Alarcon 2, Pablo 0, Torres 0, Alter 0, Belmonte 0, Fortea 0.
Ateneo (46) – Koon 10, Ballungay 8, Espinosa 7, Amos 6, Obasa 4, Brown 3, Chiu 3, Credo 3, Quitevis 2, Lazaro 0.
Quarterscores: 7-11, 22-25, 42-37, 57-46
(ai/mnm)
Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
11 a.m. – UP vs UST (Women Final Four)
2 p.m. – UP vs Ateneo (Men Final Four)
6 p.m. – DLSU vs NU (Men Final Four)
MANILA — The University of the Philippines and La Salle are set to leverage their twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four as they face lower-ranked opponents in Saturday’s UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The top-ranked Fighting Maroons will square off against defending champion Ateneo, currently in an unfamiliar position as the No. 4 squad, in another chapter of the “Battle of Katipunan” at 2 p.m.
On the other hand, the second-ranked Green Archers, on an impressive eight-game winning streak, will take on the No. 3 National University in the other Final Four matchup.
UP, boasting a league-best 12-2 record aims for its third consecutive Finals appearance and the fourth in the last five seasons.
La Salle, finishing with an 11-3 card highlighted by a second-round sweep, seeks to reach the championship stage for the first time since 2017.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs stumbled in the late stages of the eliminations, settling for third place at 10-4.
The Blue Eagles had a roller-coaster elimination round, concluding with an even 7-7 card. They secured their Final Four spot by defeating Adamson in a playoff last Wednesday, extending their streak to nine seasons.
Coach Goldwin Monteverde’s Fighting Maroons are on the verge of reclaiming the throne they lost in Season 85 late last year, continuing their journey with determination.
“I think sa start pa lang ng season, alam natin lahat ng teams very competitive,” said Monteverde, who steered UP in ending a 36-year title drought in Season 84.
“Getting here at this spot is just part of it pero alam naman natin na di pa tapos. Whatever we worked hard for, we just have to follow through on it. We just have to wait kung sino makakalaban namin and prepare for them.
“It’s just a result of yung hard work namin. Lahat naman nito, di naman ito nakaplano. Like I said, whatever comes through, we have to prepare just to fight over every challenge. Kung saan tayo nakarating ngayon, at least we’re thankful but it’s not yet done,” he added.
Jared Brown, who shone in the Blue Eagles’ 70-48 victory over the Falcons, remains upbeat in their matchup with the Fighting Maroons.
“We have momentum coming into Saturday, all we have to do is follow what our coaches want to do and execute it as well as we can,” Brown said.
The Green Archers’ quest to end a seven-year title drought was boosted by their impressive elimination campaign under new coach Topex Robinson.
But for Mike Phillips, La Salle’s journey has just begun with its 72-69 conquest of fabled rival Ateneo.
“Malayo na, pero malayo pa,” said the 6-foot-8 Phillips. “Hopefully, we can use this momentum going into the Final Four.”
Victories by the Blue Eagles and the Bulldogs will send the Final Four to a decider on Wednesday.
(ai/mnm)