De La Salle University, University of the Philippines, National University, and University of Santo Tomas completed the quarterfinal cast of the NSAC 2026 College Basketball Campus Tour after securing Round of 16 wins Sunday at the UP Varsity Training Center in Quezon City.
In a clash of sister schools, La Salle, the No. 2 seed from Group D, stretched its streak to three with a 76-66 win over Group A’s No. 3 seed De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
The victory sends the UAAP Season 88 champions into a quarterfinal matchup against the Tamaraws.
The Green Archers turned a deadlock into a double-digit cushion late in the fourth quarter, with JC Macalalag breaking the 66-all tie on a layup and a jumper before Mason Amos drilled a triple for a 74-66 edge.
Macalalag then iced the game from the free throw line, stretching La Salle’s lead to 10. Benilde came up empty in the closing possessions as the Green Archers wrapped up the 76-66 victory.
Luis Pablo led all scorers with 16 points on 77.8 percent shooting from the field, 13 rebounds and three assists, while Macalalag backed him up with 13 points along with three rebounds.
Allen Liwag tallied 16 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists for the Blazers, who will face the Golden Stags in the classification round.
Later on, Group A leader UP continued its unbeaten run with an 87-60 victory against Group D fourth seed Adamson University on its home court.
UP pulled away for good in the final quarter, stretching a 15-point lead to as many as 28 behind a balanced attack from Veejay Pre, Sean Alter, Arvie Poyos and LA Andres. Adamson tried to keep pace through triples from Noah Pacquiao and baskets from Mahathir Edding and Zaheer Sajili, but the Fighting Maroons continued to force turnovers and convert in transition.
UP capped the 87-60 rout with a late layup from Miguel Yñiguez, while Poyos came up with back-to-back steals in the closing seconds.
Pre delivered a game-high 27 points on 92.3 percent shooting from the field, along with eight rebounds and two assists, while Alter added 15 points on 77.8 percent shooting and eight rebounds. On the other side, Adamson’s Precious Jonah posted 13 points and five rebounds.
The Soaring Falcons are set to battle the Chiefs in the classification round.
Booking a quarterfinal meeting with the Fighting Maroons, Group B second seed NU knocked off Group C third seed Arellano University, 87-76.
