CALATAGAN, Batangas ˗ La Salle captured the UAAP Season 85 men’s 3×3 basketball championship with a 21-18 win over Adamson while University of Santo Tomas’ Kenji Duremdes bagged the top rookie award Thursday at the CaSoBe here.
CJ Austria led the Green Archers’ comeback from five points down with nine points and three rebounds, while Joshua David drained three two-pointers for six points.
Kevin Quiambao contributed five points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks, while Francis Escandor added a point and seven rebounds.
“Totally, hindi namin inexpect na magchachampion kami kasi bago pa lang kami nagtraining ng 3×3. Blessing na nag-champion kami at nakuha ko pa yung MVP,” said Austria, who was crowned tournament MVP.
The Tigers lost to the National University Bulldogs, 21-16, in the battle for third but Duremdes was happy to clinch the Rookie of the Year award – thanks to his superb game rarely seen to a newcomer.
He finished with 9 points in that game but had 10 points in team’s 21-19 defeat to Adamson in the semis.
Austria and Hanapi exchanged points at 18-all, then Quiambao took over with a go-ahead teardrop with 16 seconds to go before finishing the game with two free throws with 3.1 seconds remaining.
La Salle defeated NU in the semis, 21-13 (9:52).