Ateneo, La Salle remain undefeated in UAAP 3x3 Men's Basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Collegiate 3x3 Standings

Men’s 

Ateneo 3-0
DLSU 3-0
ADU 2-1
UP 2-1
FEU 1-2
NU 1-2
UE 0-3
UST 0-3

Women’s

UST 3-0
ADU 2-1
Ateneo 2-1
FEU 2-1
DLSU 1-2
NU 1-2
UE 1-2
UP 0-3

Defending UAAP Collegiate Men’s 3x3 champion De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University remained the only unbeaten teams after three games on Tuesday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

The Green Archers routed the National University Bulldogs, 21-13, behind Luis Pablo, who led the charge with eight points and five rebounds. Doy Dungo and Jcee Macalalag added six and five points, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles cruised past the winless University of the East Red Warriors, 21-14, to share the lead with their archrivals in the tournament supported by Wilson Philippines and Ayala Malls and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Andrew Bongo scored eight points, Shawn Tuano had seven, while Kyle Gamber chipped in five for Ateneo.

“We’re just trying to make the school proud. Too many years, even in 5-on-5, not even a Final Four placement,” said Tuano. “We’re just here, trying to bring something home and just trying to make the school proud.

“We have one goal in mind: bring home that gold. We want to bring that championship back to Ateneo; we will try to do that,” he added, noting that the last time Ateneo won the 3x3 crown was in UAAP Season 81, when the sport was still a demonstration event.

In other men’s games, Miguel Yñiguez and Noah Pacquiao delivered game-winners to lift University of the Philippines and Adamson University to a share of third place with identical 2-1 records.

For the second straight game, Yñiguez knocked down a game-winning deuce, lifting the Fighting Maroons past the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in overtime, 20-18. He finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds, while LA Andres added eight points.

On the other hand, Pacquiao drained a corner deuce — his 10th point of the game — at the buzzer to carry the Soaring Falcons to a 20-18 win over the still winless University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.

FEU and NU slipped to 1-2 heading into Day 3 on Thursday.

Meanwhile, in the women’s division, the battle of unbeatens between the Growling Tigresses and the Lady Tamaraws turned into a lopsided affair, with UST cruising to a 13-2 win for its third straight victory.

Kent Pastrana led the way with five points and nine rebounds, Brigette Santos added four points, while Coi Danganan chipped in three in the rout.

“So lucky to be playing with her in her last tournament here in the UAAP,” said Fil-Australian rookie Erinn Mcalary on being able to team up with Pastrana before she moves on to the next chapter of her career. “It’s more motivation for us to play well in this tournament and hopefully win this to send her off properly.”

The loss dropped the Lady Tamaraws into a tie for second with the Blue Eagles, who defeated the Fighting Maroons, 14-8, and the Lady Falcons, who edged the Lady Archers, 19-17.

Kacey dela Rosa and Kai Oani scored all of Ateneo’s points with eight and six, respectively.

Elaine Etang poured in nine points in Adamson’s win, while Cheska Apag added six.

Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs notched their first win of the tournament despite fielding just three players, defeating the Lady Warriors, 19-16.

Aloha Betanio and Samantha Medina finished with eight and seven points, respectively, while Bonie Solis added four.

Tiger Cubs snap Baby Tams 24-game streak in UAAP U19 Boys 3x3 Basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 High School 3x3 Basketball Standings

19U Boys’
UST 3-0
NUNS 2-1
FEU-D 2-1
DLSZ 2-1
UE 1-2
ADU 1-2
UPIS 1-2
Ateneo 0-3

16u Boys’
FEU-D 3-0
UST 2-1
Ateneo 2-1
DLSZ 2-1
ADU 1-2
UE 1-2
NUNS 1-2
UPIS 0-3

University of Santo Tomas took solo lead in the UAAP Season 88 19-and-under 3x3 basketball tournament after pulling off two thrilling wins on Tuesday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

The Tiger Cubs ended the 24-game winning streak of defending champions FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws with a 21-18 victory to open their day, before following it up with a 21-16 win over the DLSZ Junior Archers. With those results, UST remained the only unbeaten team in the tournament, which is supported by Wilson Philippines and Ayala Malls and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Kirk Cañete led the charge against FEU-D, going a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, including 2-of-2 from beyond the arc, finishing with 10 points, while Joaqui Ludovice added seven.

Ludovice then took over against DLSZ, finishing with nine points, while Jettlee Melano and Cañete chipped in five points apiece.

“Happy po kami as a team kasi nagtulong-tulungan kami. Lahat ito, pinaghandaan kami,” said Ludovice, the 5-foot-9 guard who is in Grade 11 but will age out of the league’s high school competitions in UAAP Season 89. “Pero hindi pa kami ganoon kasaya kasi hindi pa namin naabot yung pinaka goal namin, which is yung championship. Happy kami pero hindi pa kami kuntento.”

For Ludovice, winning the 3x3 tournament would be a perfect cap to their high school run after finishing sixth in the 5-on-5 competition last March.

“Sineseryoso namin ito kasi ito yung comeback namin from 5-on-5. UAAP pa rin ito at parehong championship pa rin ang pinaglalabanan dito,” said Joaqui, the younger brother of former San Beda Red Lion Yvan Ludovice.

The middle of the standings remains tightly packed, with FEU-D, National University Nazareth School, and De La Salle-Zobel all holding 2-1 records.

Cabs Cabonilas powered FEU-D with 11 points and 11 rebounds in a 21-13 bounce-back win over Ateneo.

Meanwhile, University of the Philippines Integrated School leaned on the duo of Jhustin Hallare and Bruce Tubongbanua, who both scored nine points, in a 22-20 stunner over NUNS. However, NUNS responded later in the day with a 21-11 rout of Adamson.

Niño Ferrer then scored a deuce in overtime to lift DLSZ to a 20-18 win over Ateneo, helping the Junior Archers rebound.

Adamson, UE, and UPIS are all at 1-2, while Ateneo remains winless in the division.

In the 16-and-under division, defending champion Ateneo—coming off a 21-17 win over UE earlier in the day—saw its 10-game winning streak snapped after FEU-Diliman pulled off a 21-15 victory.

Prince Cariño dominated the match, finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds.

The Baby Tamaraws also cruised in their first game of the day, defeating Adamson 21-13 behind nine points from Dwayne Enriquez and seven from Cariño to move to 3-0 in the division.

Ateneo, UST, and DLSZ are all at 2-1, while Adamson, UE, and NUNS sit at 1-2. UPIS remains winless.

The Junior Tiger Cubs also went 2-0 for the day, scoring wins over NUNS (21-16) and UPIS (21-13).

Miguel Jubilado and CJ Tabbuga scored eight and seven points, respectively, against the Bullpups, while Tabbuga added nine points and Dave Regala contributed seven points and nine rebounds against the Fighting Maroons.

DLSZ, which started the day with a 21-20 escape over UPIS, suffered a 19-15 upset loss to NUNS—the Bullpups’ first win of the tournament.

Junior Archers head trainer Joshua Webb said his squad needs to experience both highs and lows to grow in the competition.

“Just a few tweaks and adjustments here and there, but that’s going to come. 3x3 is a different animal from 5-on-5, and it’s our job to teach them that,” said Webb, a DLSZ legend and former Philippine-ranked 3x3 player during his stint with Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3.

The Junior Warriors finally broke through with their first win, edging the Adamson Baby Falcons 19-17 in overtime as James Mesa nailed the game-winning deuce.

The tournament will resume on Thursday, with the high school girls’ competition also set to begin on the same day.

Opening Ceremonies to mark start of 2026 edition of MPTC Tour of Luzon

 

The revival of the race of the summer continues as the 2026 edition of the MPTC Tour of Luzon gets kickstarted with the Opening Ceremonies and Team Presentations on Tuesday at CaSoBe in Calatagan, Batangas.

Dubbed as "A Heritage in Motion," 91 riders split into thirteen teams are set to display their shiny jerseys as an appetizer for the grueling road ahead, featuring fourteen stages traversing the biggest island in the Philippines.

Set to address them in the ceremony, which starts at 5pm, are Philippines Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, and the tour's Chief Organizer and CEO Arrey Perez, which will also feature a message from Philippine Olympic Committee president and concurrently the head of PhilCycling, the national sports association for cycling, Abraham Tolentino, as well as opening remarks from NLEX Corporation president and general manager Luis Reñon.

In addition, gracing the event are Mediaquest Holdings Inc President and CEO Ricky Vargas, who also is a member of the Board of Directors for the tour's Organizing Committee, as well as Games and Amusements Board chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, Calatagan Mayor Rico Puno and Cardinal Santos Medical Center president and CEO Raul Pagdanganan.

Also among the distinguished guests are noted cycling enthusiast and MMDA General Nicolas Torre III, who was one of the participants in Sunday's Heritage Race for cycling executives, and the family of the late cycling patron Albert Lina.

Aside for the messages, the ceremony will feature the handover of the MPTC Tour of Luzon Perpetual Trophy from inaugural champion MPTC DriveHub back to the organizers. In order to keep this trophy, they will need to win this upcoming edition and the next one after that.

Concluding the events on Tuesday will be a fireworks display on the shore off Balayan Bay.

Race proper begins on Wednesday with a festive and booming Grand Departure starting at 9am, with Stage 1 set to conclude at Tagaytay City. It is the lone stage in Southern Luzon with the start of Stage 2 taking place in Clark. In a tour first, it will feature a couple of Hors Category climbs, with one on the tenth stage from Candon City, Ilocos Sur to Bessang Pass in Cervantes, Ilocos Norte, as well as on the final stage from Lingayen Pangasinan to John Hay Hotels in Baguio City.

Returning to defend his individual crown and leading the foreign contingent in the tour is Joo Dae Young of Gapyeong Cycling Team, one of two Korean teams participating.

The rest of the foreign legion are comprised of Seoul Cycling Team, LCW UAE Cycle, CCN Factory Racing (Hong Kong), Ponti Wijaya Racing Team (Indonesia), and the Malaysian National Team.

Aside from the defending champions MPTC DriveHub, representing the Philippines are known continental players 7-Eleven CLIQQ Roadbike Philippines and Go For Gold Philippines, as well as Standard Insurance Philippines, DReyna Orion Cement Pro Cycling Team, Excellent Noodles, and Pangasinan Cycling Team.

The MPTC Tour of Luzon is co-presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, and supported by the MVP Group of Companies and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), while also aligned with the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NSTIAC). 

Details about the race are in the official website tourofluzoncycling.com and its corresponding Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/tourofluzoncycling.

Dela Rosa, Apag seek to build on FIBA 3x3 experience onto UAAP 3x3

c/o UAAP

Two weeks after making Philippine 3x3 history, Kacey dela Rosa and Cheska Apag return to familiar ground to lead their respective universities in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s 3x3 Basketball Tournament, which begins today (Monday) at Ayala Malls By The Bay.

Dela Rosa and Apag were part of the Gilas Women’s squad that captured silver in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup. Dela Rosa, together with UAAP alums Afril Bernardino, Mikka Cacho, and Tantoy Ferrer, also helped the Philippines punch its ticket to the 3x3 World Cup.

“I’m super excited, of course. Coming from the FIBA Asia Cup and World Cup Qualifiers, I know I learned a lot from those tournaments, and you know I’m just excited to share it with my teammates on the court,” said Dela Rosa.

She will be joined by 5-on-5 Rookie of the Year Erica De Luna, Kai Oani, Lauren Lopez, and Hannah Lopez as Ateneo de Manila University opens its campaign against two former champions, University of Santo Tomas at 12:40 p.m., followed by National University at 3:20 p.m.

Now, Dela Rosa is focused on anchoring the Blue Eagles’ title-retention bid in the three-a-side game.

“Whenever I play naman, for Gilas especially, you know, for Ateneo, I’m super competitive talaga. Siguro kasi nakasanayan na talaga eh. I came from Chiang Kai Shek kasi, and I guess dun ko parang na-adapt yung mindset na ganun. Gusto ko lagi manalo or mag champion kahit anong team pa yan,” she added.

Adamson University’s Cheska Apag, meanwhile, will be joined by Elaine Etang, Jam Meniano, Niclen Manlimos, and Nadine Muñoz as they look to bounce back into podium contention after missing out last season.

The women’s division is expected to be highly competitive, with UST, NU, and University of the Philippines fielding loaded squads.

The Growling Tigresses, reigning 5-on-5 champions, will be led by Kent Pastrana, who will be representing UST for the final time in this tournament. She will be joined by Brigette Santos, Karylle Sierba, Coi Danganan, and Erinn McAlary.

UAAP Season 86 Girls' 3x3 MVP Cielo Pagdulagan will spearhead the Lady Bulldogs, alongside Dindy Medina, Aloha Betanio, Bonie Solis, and Samantha Medina, as NU looks to rebound after missing the podium last season.

Louna Ozar will lead the Cacho-trained Fighting Maroons and will be flanked by Camille Nolasco, Achrissa Maw, Shane Cunanan, and Marielle Vingno.

The rivalry clash between UST and NU is set for April 30 at 6 p.m.

On the collegiate men’s side, De La Salle University is eyeing a fourth straight 3x3 crown in this tournament supported by Wilson Philippines and Ayala Malls, and is sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Seniors Earl Abadam and Jcee Macalalag return, teaming up with reigning MVP Doy Dungo, EJ Gollena, and Luis Pablo.

“We take it with pride and honor to have the chance to bring La Salle a fourth 3x3 championship this year. This one will mean a lot to Jcee and me since it will be our last year playing and wearing a La Salle jersey,” said Abadam, who is aiming for his fifth overall UAAP title.

Last season’s silver medalists, the Growling Tigers, will bring back Amiel Acido, Gelo Crisostomo, and Ice Danting, along with rookies Carl Manding and Koji Buenaflor.

Crisostomo is currently in Sanya, China, representing the Philippines in the 3x3 competition of the 6th Asian Beach Games.

Last season's bronze medalists, the Soaring Falcons, will feature Allen Perez, AJ Fransman, Joshua Barcelona, Mat Edding, and Noah Pacquiao.

After finishing in the lower half of the standings last season, the Nico Salva-mentored Blue Eagles will field a deep lineup with Andrew Bongo, Shawn Tuano, Kyle Gamber, Alden Cainglet, and Thirdy Ebdane.

La Salle opens its title defense against Adamson at 2 p.m.

Cabs Cabonilas, the history-maker who won both regular season and Finals MVPs last March, will lead FEU-Diliman’s “three-peat” bid alongside Marc Burgos, JB Cagurungan, Sam Hall, and Adrian Alabagan.

The NU-Nazareth School Bullpups, looking to avenge their 5-on-5 loss to the Baby Tamaraws, will be composed of Kurl Figueroa, Miekho Natinga, Chad Cartel, Sofiane Bouzina, and Rhon-J Matias.

The Junior Growling Tigresses, meanwhile, like their seniors, are eyeing a “golden double” with Lea Pinuela, Katrina Insoy, Jesabel Anacan, Janice Oczon, and Sofia Petalcorin.

The Lady Bullpups, fielding Aubrey Lapasaran, Zaydhen Rosano, Ruiza Olmos, Queennie Cordero, and KJ Badajos, will look to spoil that bid.

In the 16-and-under division, 15-year-old reigning MVP Sky Jazul will lead Ateneo High School’s back-to-back title pursuit.

The elimination round runs from April 27 to May 2, with a break on April 29. The knockout stage will be held on May 3.

Second leg of PFA Open Tournament on tap this weekend

c/o Philippine Fencing Association

Fencers return to competitive action this weekend as the second leg of the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) Open Division ranking tournaments commences inside the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Around 250 competitors are expected to take part, marking the continuation of the Dr. Celso L. Dayrit Memorial Fencing Championships, which also hosted the first leg of the PFA Cadet and Junior rankings last March.

The season-opening leg of the PFA Open last February set an early tone for what has become a tightly contested year, featuring national team regulars and elite club fencers battling for early control of the standings. While several familiar names claimed podium finishes, results across foil, épée, and sabre highlighted just how slim the margins have become at the highest level.

Nearly all medalists from the first leg are back in action, alongside competitors coming off recent campaigns in the UAAP Fencing Championships, the domestic Cadet and Junior leg, and international events such as the FIE Cadet and Junior Championships in Brazil. Those tournaments saw new contenders emerge and sharpened several athletes ahead of this key Open Division stop.

Also returning are members of the Philippine Modern Pentathlon Team, who figured prominently in the opening leg. Leading that contingent are Samuel German and Princess Arpilon, both aiming to build on previous medal finishes.

Competition begins on Saturday with Men’s Épée, Women’s Foil, and Men’s Sabre, before concluding on Sunday with Women’s Épée, Men’s Foil, and Women’s Sabre, as valuable ranking points remain up for grabs.

Canlas Fencing sets the table in PFA Cadet/Junior opener

c/o Philippine Fencing Association

Members of the Canlas Fencing community stepped up and showed out in the first leg of the Philippines Fencing Association's ranking tournaments for Cadet and Junior fencers last March 21-22 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The competition, called the Dr. Celso L. Dayrit Memorial Fencing Championships, took place days after the conclusion of the UAAP Fencing Championships that was held at the University of Makati.

Leading the charge for the club are the Canlas sisters, with Nina netting two gold medals in Women's Epee and Nicol securing a gold and a bronze in Women's Sabre. The former dispatch a couple of Oblation Fencing competitors, Sophia Carig in the semifinals, and Faith Olemos in the final to claim the Cadet crown on Saturday, before defeating fellow Red Warrior Mika Ragot in the semifinals and Justa Sandoval of UP in the final for Juniors the next day.

As for the latter, she managed to defeat Liah Gillana in the semifinals, 15-7, avenging her defeat to the UST HS standout in the UAAP Girls Sabre semifinal a week earlier. Nicol then dispatched CF teammate Gabrielle Wynter Ang in the final, 15-12 for the Cadet crown.

She almost matched her sister's feat, but lost to Nadelle Turiano in the semifinals, 15-7. The Canadian-based fencer topped the Junior crown with a 15-13 win over Arianna Tiu of Republic Fencing.

All-CF match-ups also popped up on both days, with Oscar del Castillo defeating Franco Pediapco in the Cadet Men's Epee final, while it was a pure CF podium on Junior Men's Foil, with Nathan Canlas defeating Marcus Antonio Manuel in the final, 15-4. James Limuel Lim beat his fellow Red Warrior Brynt Gale for the bronze, 15-13.

Willa Galvez took advantage of Sophia Catantan incurring an injury during the knockout rounds to claim the Cadet Women's Foil title, dispatching Hagia Sophia del Castillo. With Catantan ruled out for the next day's Junior action, the younger del Castillo bounced back to top the action against Jodie Tan.

Other winners include Xavier's Gabriel Marcus Chua in Cadet Men's Foil, UST's Antonio Baydid in Cadet Men's Sabre, Matt Jacob Mayo in Junior Men's Epee, and Charles Babatio in Junior Men's Sabre.

The second leg of the Cadet and Junior ranking tournament is slated to take place next month.

Filoil preseason set for May 17 opening

Preseason basketball officially kicks into high gear next month, with the 19th edition of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup set to open on May 17 at its hub, the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Teams from both the UAAP and NCAA are set to tangle, with the champion to be crowned on July 18.

The University of the Philippines is seeking to claim its fourth straight title in this tournament, as it attempts to reclaim the UAAP men's basketball crown back from La Salle.

Even with the departure of its senior core, the Maroons will be ready for their title defense, led by its transfer standouts Veejay Pre, Rey Remogat, and Gani Stevens.

The Green Archers, fresh from their title exploits in dispatching UP in the league, will still have Jacob Cortez running the show, but expect some adjustments with the departure of Mike Phillips and Kean Baclaan. 

Set to make its return after sitting out the last few editions is Ateneo, which is set to parade a bunch of newcomers led by Kieffer Alas.

As for the NCAA, San Beda and Letran lead the way, while the College of Saint Benilde is also ready to impress. Jose Rizal University and Emilio Aguinaldo College, who have up-and-coming guards Sean Salvador and EJ Castillo, respectively, potentially surprising as they continue their preparations for the 102nd season of the Grand Old League.

The format from the past few seasons will be retained, as all UAAP schools will be placed in one group with the NCAA institutions on the other. After their groups go through a single round robin, the knockout rounds begin with the crossover quarterfinals.

A new element for this season is the appointment of BJ Manalo as the tournament's commissioner, supporting coaching legend Joe Lipa. The former La Salle collegiate standout is the latest addition to the tournament staff, which is still led by Virgil Villavicencio (chairman), Bert dela Rosa (deputy commissioner), Bennett Palad (tournament director) and Diana Layug (general manager). 

Manalo shares, "It's a wonderful privilege to be in touch with the current players and the current head coaches, and to have this chance to learn from coach Joe. This is special."

Supporting the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup are ABC Tile Adhesive, Hanes, Wallem, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature's Spring, BDO, Akari, and Tela.com Athletics.