DE LA SALLE University extended its dominance in the UAAP Collegiate Men’s 3×3 Basketball tournament with a third consecutive title, while Ateneo de Manila University 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 the tournament 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.
“I just want to be a leader by example to my teammates. Just wanted to show that nothing can hold you back if you want it,” said Abadam.
“There’s a proverb in the Bible that says, ‘As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.’ If you want something, you can achieve it.”
In the championship match, La Salle jumped to an early 11-6 lead and never looked back.
UST rookie Amiel Acido, a rookie from Perpetual Help, tried to mount a comeback by trimming the lead to three, 15-12, with 1:39 remaining. But the Archers locked in on defense and held on to secure their third straight men’s 3×3 title.
