La Salle extended its dominance in the UAAP Collegiate Men’s 3×3 Basketball tournament with a third consecutive title, while Ateneo broke through in the women’s division.
The Green Archers, who entered the Final Four as the fourth seed, leaned on their experience and composure to upset the second-seeded University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 15-12, Sunday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque.
Earlier, the fourth-seeded Blue Eagles completed their remarkable turnaround with a 21-17 (8:20) victory over the third-seeded FEU Lady Tamaraws in the women’s final of this tournament also supported by Molten.
La Salle’s journey to the championship was anything but smooth.
After starting with a 1-2 record, the Archers made a key lineup change on Day 3, subbing in Earl Abadam for Vhoris Marasigan. They bounced back and advanced to the playoffs with a 4-3 slate.
In the semifinals, they stunned top-seeded National University, 17-14, to book a ticket to the finals.
In the championship match, La Salle jumped to an early 11-6 lead and never looked back.
Doy Dungo, who was later named MVP, led the way with seven points, while Abadam added four points and five rebounds.
In the women’s final, Kacey Dela Rosa delivered a stellar performance with 11 points and 10 rebounds to power Ateneo to the title.
“I’m really happy and sana sa 5-on-5 makuha din namin. Pagtratrabahuan namin ‘yun,” said Dela Rosa, the 6-foot center who was later named women’s MVP—her third top individual award in the UAAP.
With the game tied at 17-all, Junize Calago hit a cold-blooded two-pointer with 2:28 left to give Ateneo the lead. On the following possession, Dela Rosa split her free throws to put the Blue Eagles on championship point. She later sealed the win with a layup inside following a defensive stop.
“Laking tulong sa akin nun kasi na-improve ko yung individual skills ko at maglaro sa iba’t ibang setting,” said Dela Rosa, who is also a member of the Gilas Women U23 squad that will compete in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League and Manila Gilas 3×3 that is part of the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series.
