Green Archers emerge as back-to-back Champions in UAAP S86 3x3 Men’s Basketball Tournament
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers successfully defended their UAAP crown on Day Four of the UAAP 3x3 Men’s Basketball Tournament earlier today at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay — Activity Center.
CJ Austria, the team veteran, led the Green Archers to back-to-back crowns on the UAAP 3x3 court, where he also got himself back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards. Alongside the guard was Jonnel Policarpio, who contributed tremendous plays to help DLSU defend the title, taking home the Rookie of the Year award as well.
Intending to hold on to the crown, the squad consisting of Austria, Policarpio, Earl Abadam, and Aaron Buensalida gave it their all on the final day of the UAAP 3x3 Men’s Basketball tournament. The Green Archers faced adversity multiple times in today’s matchups with the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, National University (NU) Bulldogs, and the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors. Still, the Lasallians came out on top with indomitable spirits and skills.
DLSU vs. AdU Soaring Falcons
Day Four of the tournament began with the final elimination round match against the AdU Soaring Falcons, where the Green Archers displayed firepower to shoot down the Falcons and claim the top seed, remaining undefeated. The matchup began with both squads exchanging layups from Austria and Ray Allen Torres, creating a deadlock at two-all. From then, the Green Archers went on a nine-point run led by Abadam and Policarpio, generating baskets from multiple and-one plays and jumpers to lead at 11–2. Justin Ignacio from the Falcons made a layup to end the run, but the Green Archers continued to heat up and scored continuously with layups and jumpers. DLSU led by as much as 15 at 20–5, eventually winning the match with a layup from Austria to secure victory at 21–7 to go undefeated throughout the elimination round.
DLSU vs. NU Bulldogs
DLSU faced the NU Bulldogs in a heated matchup when the semifinal round came. The game opened with a double-technical on Austria and Jolo Manansala. NU found themselves in foul trouble early, garnering four fouls within a minute of play in the match. From then on, both teams found themselves in a deadlock, 2-all, until Austria came up with two consecutive layups. NU’s Joe Gulapa then emerged with a highlight dunk but was called for a technical foul for taunting, propelling the Lasallians to extend the lead to 6–3. Despite the early setback, the Bulldogs crawled back into the lead at 6–7 with a four-point explosion led by Jake Figueroa. However, the defending champions refused to let up, reclaiming the lead at 9–8 with an Austria layup. From there, both teams traded leads until NU led by three at 11–14 with three minutes to go. But the Green and White took full advantage of NU being in foul trouble, attacking the paint continuously and tying the game at 14-all. DLSU reclaimed the lead at 17–15 after Austria scored two straight buckets, but Steve Nash Enriquez immediately replied with a long-distance bomb to tie the game at 17-all. With a minute to go, the defending champions found themselves under pressure, with Enriquez and Figueroa scoring three straight points to lead at 17–20. However, reigning MVP, Austria, erupted with consecutive layups to put DLSU within winning range at 19–20, and eventually hit the game-winning two-point bomb that secured La Salle’s ticket to the Finals, 21–20.
DLSU vs. UE Red Warriors
In the championship game, the Green Archers suited up against the UE Red Warriors, where the Lasallians looked to defend the title and go undefeated throughout the tournament. The game began with both squads trading blows at the rim, creating two deadlocks until Wello Lingolingo hit three straight bombs from distance to lead early at 4–10. Lingolingo went on a hot streak from the distance to give UE a comfortable seven-point lead at 4–11, but the Lasallians stepped hard on the gas to close the gap. Austria and Policarpio were unstoppable in the championship game, scoring consecutive layups and drawing fouls to put UE in foul trouble with five minutes to go, eventually cutting the lead to one at 11–12. From then on, neither squad wanted to surrender. UE held on tight to a one-point lead, but foul trouble got the best of them as Buensalida, Policarpio, Abadam, and Austria took full advantage to give DLSU the lead at 15–13 with two minutes to go. The Lasallians held on tight to their lead with the crown on the line, but the Red Warriors stubbornly maintained their grip. With the game on the line, Abadam hit the dagger with a mid-range jumper, 17–14, but Galang exploded for a two-pointer to give UE a chance, closing the gap to just one with 13 seconds left. Despite the effort, the squad from Taft held a steady defense, not giving UE any space to shoot. The Green Archers soon secured the victory once more for La Salle, 17–16, and the back-to-back UAAP 3x3 Basketball Champions title.
