University of the Philippines made an early statement in the UAAP 3×3 basketball tournament Saturday at the Ayala Malls Feliz in Pasig.
Behind a killer roster of FIBA 3×3 veterans Ricci Rivero and Juan Gomez de Liaño, together with Will Gozum and Javi Gomez de Liaño, the Fighting Maroons opened their campaign with a 13-8 romp of National University, before nipping defending champion Far Eastern University, 13-11.
After Javi Gomez de Liaño made a free throw, last-minute addition Ljay Gonzales missed the game-tying two, allowing UP to escape with its second win.
Wendel Comboy’s two-pointer gave the Tamaraws their first win at the expense of University of Santo Tomas, 11-9, after the 10-minute contest ended in a 9-9 standoff.
Women’s titleholder National University, behind Fiba 3×3 campaigner Jack Danielle Aninam, Ria Nabalan, Monique del Carmen and Congolese Rhena Itesi, went undefeated in three starts.
The Lady Bulldogs set in motion their back-to-back title bid with a 12-7 win over University of the East and needed a 5-0 finishing run to beat Ateneo, 13-10.
NU then scored a 14-8 win over De La Salle to remain unscathed.
The Bulldogs rebounded from their first loss with a 9-8 squeaker of the Growling Tigers to join their victims at 1-1.
De La Salle prevailed over Adamson University, 15-13, to chalk up its first win.
