The National University and the University of Santo Tomas immediately made their presence felt at the start of the UAAP Collegiate 3×3 Basketball Tournament on Monday night at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.
Behind the offensive brilliance of Steve Nash Enriquez, the Bulldogs — composed of PJ Palacielo, Jolo Manansala, and Jake Figueroa — spoiled De La Salle University’s three-peat bid with a dominant 21-12 victory.
The Bulldogs later notched their second victory in as many matches following a 21-15 victory over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons behind the offensive brilliance of Manansala.
“‘Yung experience magiging edge namin sa kanila kasi ‘yung mga kakampi ko, matagal ko na kasama sa 5-on-5. Malaking advantage ‘yun, pati na ‘yung mga kakampi ko kasi sobrang hardworking nilang lahat,” said Enriquez in a post-game interview.
The Adamson University Falcons, led by Ray Allen Torres, Cedrick Manzano, Kenji Canete, and John Anabo, also ended Day 1 unbeaten as they won over the Fighting Maroons, 21-14, and the Green Archers, 22-19.
Meanwhile, the UST Growling Tigresses, led by Kent Pastrana, Eka Soriano, Ceejay Maglupay, and Karylle Sierba, made easy work of their opponents for a 2-0 start.
They cruised to a 21-5 domination of the winless University of the East Lady Warriors before following it up with a 21-14 victory over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
“‘Yung first game namin kanina, medyo mabagal ‘yung intensity namin. Kaya pinagusapan namin na ‘yung intensity na ‘yun, hindi na maulit sa second game at sa buong tournament kasi kailangan ibuhos na namin lahat ng makakaya namin at ‘yung best para maging mas maganda ‘yung resulta ng panalo,” said Pastrana.
The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws also stayed spotless at 2-0 after crushing the Blue Eagles, 21-9, and later pulling off a tight 20-17 victory over the Lady Warriors.
UP’s women’s basketball team likewise swept its Day 1 matches as they first defeated the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 15-13, and the NU Lady Bulldogs, 17-16.
