Kevin Quiambao showed the way for the Green Archers as they rolled past the Knights, 101-79, and kept their undefeated run going in the preseason tournament.

Quiambao delivered 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists off the bench, while Mark Nonoy also came up huge for La Salle with 18 markers built on four long bombs. 

Evan Nelle, meanwhile, hardly looked like he missed a beat in his return from an injury as he filled up the stat sheet with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in the 22-point drubbing.

On the other side, Kurt Reyson topscored for the Knights yet again with 17 points, while big men Kobe Monje and Paolo Javillonar added 11 and 10, respectively. 

In the curtain-raiser, Arthur Roque put on a show for the Altas as they eked out a thrilling 74-73 escape over the Tamaraws.

Roque erupted for 27 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting, along with a perfect 9-of-9 clip from the foul line. 

With the Tamaraws up by 1, 71-70, John Paul Boral and Roque knocked down four consecutive crucial free throws to give the Altas the lead with only 12 seconds remaining.

FEU’s Xyrus Torres and Royce Alforque had two opportunities to tie the ball game and potentially send it into overtime in the following play, but they both failed to connect on their attempts from beyond the arc.

Boral backstopped Roque in the hard-fought win with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.

For the Tamaraws, Aeron Bagunu led the charge with 14 points, while Torres and Cholo Anonuevo scored 12 each.

La Salle takes on the NU Bulldogs, while Perpetual faces off with the UP Fighting Maroons in the knockout semifinals on Monday, June 19.

The Scores

First Game

Perpetual 74 – Roque 27, Boral 15, Pagaran 9, Razon 8, Abis 5, Nitura 3, Ferreras 3, Nunez 2, Sevilla 2, Barcuma 0, Ramirez 0.

FEU 73 – Bagunu 14, Torres 12, Anonuevo 12, Montemayor 11, Alforque 8, Faty 7, Sleat 7, Pasaol 2, Tempra 0, Ona 0, Felipe 0.

Quarters: 17-25, 39-40, 53-60, 74-73.

Second Game

La Salle 101 – Quiambao 23, Nonoy 18, Nelle 12, Austria 7, Macalalag 6, Manuel 6, Policarpio 6, Phillips M. 6, David 4, Abadam 4, Gollena 4, Nwankwo 2, Cortez 2, Escandor 1.

Letran 79 – Reyson 17, Monje 11, Javillonar 10, Cuajao 9, Tolentino 9, Galoy 7, Santos 6, Bojorcelo 4, Morales 2, Guarino 2, Nunag 2, Bautista 0, Brillantes 0, Go 0.

Quarters: 23-18, 52-45, 74-61, 101-79.

– Rappler.com 

“Coach Tina will soon migrate to the USA as her immigrant visa application recently got approved,” the FEU Tamaraws posted on their Facebook page.

“She will remain with the team as consultant while she plans her move to the US,” it added.

Assistant Manolo Refugia will serve as interim coach of the Lady Tamaraws, who pulled off an impressive turnaround under new coach Salak. 

The Lady Tamaraws came within striking distance of the Final Four of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament last May, finishing fifth just a year after winding up dead last with only a win to show. 

In what turned out to be her lone season coaching her alma mater, Salak turned emotional and thanked her players for helping her reinvigorate the squad.

“It was not just a good run – it was a very good run,” Salak said in Filipino after FEU’s final game last month. “It was a very good season for us since we had made big strides because of our sacrifices.” 

According to FEU volleyball program director Dzi Gervacio, they are happy for Salak as she moves on to a new chapter in her life.

“We’re very grateful that she was able to be be part of FEU and got to share her vast knowledge on the sport and becoming a good Tamaraw student-athlete,” Gervacio told Rappler.

“This is not the end of the road for us as she will still be part of the team as a consultant and we trust that even with this role, she will still have a significant impact to the team.”

Salak, the 1995 UAAP MVP who played most of her career as a setter, powered the Lady Tamaraws to two championships in the 1990s.

Before bidding the team farewell, Salak had even bared that she was working on securing new recruits, but remains satisfied  with the team’s core players.

In the offseason, the team lost Jov Fernandez as she turned pro and signed with the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in late May.

Shiela Kiseo and Jill Gallo likewise wrapped up their stint, according to Salak in her last interview as head coach.

– Rappler.com

Harold Alarcon took care of business for the Fighting Maroons – who joined the NU Bulldogs in the Final Four – with a team-high 20 points on 10-of-15 shooting, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.

After a back-and-forth first quarter, where UP only led by 4, 21-17, the Fighting Maroons pulled away late in the second period and took a 43-31 lead over the Pirates at halftime.

UP simply proved too much for LPU the rest of the way as the powerhouse Fighting Maroons even widened the gap further to as many as 26 points, 72-46, early in the final frame.

UAAP Season 84 Finals MVP Malick Diouf racked up a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, while UP’s team captain CJ Cansino also scored in double figures with 10. 

LPU’s main guy Enoch Valdez led his team with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. 

Meanwhile, the Letran Knights and the FEU Tamaraws both punched their tickets to the quarterfinals despite coming up with contrasting results in their play-in games on Thursday.

The Knights fell to the Guang Ming College Flying Dragons in the second game of their play-in matchup, 84-79, but due to a higher aggregate score, Letran still managed to barge into the next round.

Letran defeated Guang Ming College in Game 1, 85-73, on Wednesday.

The Tamaraws, meanwhile, followed up their 96-65 Game 1 thrashing of the Jose Maria College Kings with another double-digit triumph in Game 2, 90-80.

FEU goes up against the Perpetual Help Altas, while Letran collides with the La Salle Green Archers in the quarterfinals on Friday, June 16.

The Scores

First Game

GMC 84 – Ududo 19, Dumalagan 18, Cabilla 13, Jamias 13, Lozada 5, Lactaotao 5, Villegas 4, Pujeda 3, Pecolera 2, Ihebem 2.

Letran 79 – Galoy 23, Javillonar 19, Cuajao 10, Santos 8, Bautista 6, Bojorcelo 4, Fajardo 3, Montecillo 3, Nunag 2, Tolentino 1, Brillantes 0, Guarino 0, Monje 0, Ariar 0, Go 0, Casia 0.

Quarters: 16-23, 45-37, 71-52, 84-79.

Second Game

FEU 90 – Torres 19, Faty 16, Anonuevo 14, Sleat 12, Pasaol 7, Montemayor 7, Bagunu 6, Tempra 5, Alforque 2, Guibao 2, Macapagal 0, Songcuya 0, Ona 0, Felipe 0.

JMC 80 – Catarong 24, Poyos 13, Quiamco 11, Mendiola 9, Gaslang 8, Morado 5, Montaña 4, Gementiza 2, Torejas 2, Olivar 2, Thompson 0, Bularon 0, Yorac 0.

Quarters: 17-21, 38-37, 65-54, 90-80.

Third Game

UP 86 – Alarcon 20, Diouf 15, Cansino 10, Belmonte 8, Lopez 7, Cagulangan 7, Gagate 5, Briones 5, Abadiano 4, Torculas 4, Felicilda 1, Torres 0, Pablo 0.

LPU 66 – Valdez 12, Barba 10, Omandac 8, Cunanan 8, Guadaña 8, Montaño 5, Peñafiel 5, Aviles 4, Villegas 2, Fuentes 2, Umali 2, Moralejo 0, Versoza 0.

Quarters: 21-17, 43-31, 70-46, 86-66.

– Rappler.com

Rising star forward Jake Figueroa was the star of the show with 16 points off the bench, 8 coming from his game-tying triple at the end of regulation and the rest of overtime, to go with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

Steve Nash Enriquez led scorers with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting and a perfect 4-of-4 from three, while big man Omar John added 16 points, 7 boards, and 3 blocks.

Felipe Marasigan led CSB’s sorry loss with 12 points, while Migs Oczon scored 11 with 5 assists and 4 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Letran Knights took Game 1 of their best-of-three play-in series against the debuting Guang Ming College Flying Dragons, 85-73, thanks to Kurt Reyson’s stat sheet-stuffing 19-point, 7-rebound, 6-assist, 3-steal line.

Kobe Monje added 18 points in the win against the Luzon qualifier champions from Malate, Manila, while Kevin Santos delivered a big man masterpiece off 13 points, 7 boards, and 6 blocks off the bench.

Foreign student-athlete Dikachi Ududo showed off in the loss with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 rejection as Joshua Jamias added 13 points.

Lastly, the FEU Tamaraws pummeled VisMin top team Jose Maria College Kings, 96-65, off a balanced attack topped by gunner Xyrus Torres’ 20 points in just a 15-minute spurt.

Royce Alforque backstopped his backcourtmate with 14 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds in just 20 minutes, while Chiolo Anonuevo only needed 16 minutes to scatter 6 points, 8 boards, 5 dimes, 2 steals, and a block.

Christer Catarong paced the Davao-based ballers in the loss with 17 points and 9 rebounds as Arvie Jay Poyos tallied 15 points, 8 assists, and 5 boards. – Rappler.com

The Altas emerged triumphant against the Letran Knights, 81-68, to secure the top spot in Group 1 with a 7-2 record. 

Arthur Roque powered the Altas to the victory with a near double-double of 19 points and 9 rebounds, while Jielo Razon also scored 19.

The Altas spoiled the high-scoring performance of Kurt Reyson, who dropped 24 points for the Knights in the losing cause. 

Letran – which closed out the eliminations at fourth with a 6-3 slate – fell to the play-in games and will collide with the Guang Ming College for a slot in the quarterfinals.

The Blue Eagles, meanwhile, defeated the St. Clare Saints, 57-52, on the final day of the elimination round. 

Despite failing to secure a ticket to the quarterfinals or a spot in the play-in games after going 0-5 in their first five assignments, the Blue Eagles still managed to end the tournament on a high note with four consecutive wins. 

After banking on the twin towers of Kai Ballungay and Joseph Obasa in their past two outings, it was Sean Quitevis who stepped up for the Blue Eagles this time with a team-high 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting from long distance.

Ballungay added 9 points, while Josh Lazaro and Obasa had 8 and 7, respectively, for the defending UAAP champion Ateneo, which played its third straight game in as many days.

Ahron Estacio was the lone double-digit scorer for the also-ran Saints, which finished with a 4-5 slate – same as the Blue Eagles.

In a matchup between two UAAP schools, the NU Bulldogs edged the FEU Tamaraws, 73-67.

Jake Figueroa and Steve Nash Enriquez produced 11 points each to lead the Bulldogs in the comeback win that saw them rise back from an 18-point second-quarter deficit. 

Mouhamed Faty and Rojen Montemayor, meanwhile, paced the Tamaraws in the loss with 14 points apiece.

NU, which is already assured of a seat in the quarterfinals, ended the elimination round at the third spot with a 7-2 record in Group 2.

FEU wound up at No. 4 with a 5-4 slate in the same group and will go up against the Jose Maria College in the play-in games.

Finally, the JRU Heavy Bombers (4-5) made quick work of the winless Arellano Chiefs (0-9) in a battle of two eliminated teams, 78-65.

Theo Pabico led the Heavy Bombers with 14 points, while Agem Miranda tallied 12 markers and 8 boards.

Jade Talampas topscored for the Chiefs with 17 points.

The Scores

First Game

Perpetual 81 – Roque 19, Razon 19, Pagaran 15, Abis 12, Ramirez 3, Boral 3, Ferreras 3, Nitura 2, Barcuma 2, Cuevas 2, Sevilla 1, Nunez 0, Orgo 0, Gelsano 0.

Letran 68 – Reyson 24, Santos 12, Cuajao 10, Go 10, Alarcon 4, Tolentino 3, Fajardo 3, Javillonar 2, Ariar 0, Miclat 0, Bautista 0, Bojorcelo 0, Guarino 0, Nunag 0, Morales 0.

Quarters: 17-20, 36-39, 60-53, 81-68.

Second Game

NU 73 – Figueroa 11, Enriquez 11, Palacielo 8, Malonzo 7, Manansala 7, Yu 7, Baclaan 6, John 6, Lim 6, Diassana 4, Casinillo 0, Gulapa 0, Parks 0.

FEU 67 – Faty 14, Montemayor 14, Bagunu 9, Anonuevo 7, Alforque 7, Felipe 4, Pasaol 4, Macapagal 2, Songcuya 2, Sleat 2, Ona 2, Guibao 0.

Quarters: 19-32, 39-44, 56-50, 73-67.

Third Game

JRU 78 – Pabico 14, Miranda 12, Ramos 11, Argente 10, De Leon 9, Guiab 8, Dioniso 4, Dela Rosa 3, Mosqueda 2, Arenal 2, Medina 2, Sy 1, Delos Santos 0, Sarmiento 0.

Arellano 65 – Talampas 17, Mallari 15, Valencia 7, Villarente 7, Oftana 6, Bagay 5, Dela Cruz 4, Abastillas 2, Antonio 2, Lustina 0, Domingo 0, Camay 0, Anama 0, Rosalin 0.

Quarters: 22-18, 42-33, 60-46, 78-65.

Fourth Game

Ateneo 57 – Quitevis 13, Ballungay 9, Lazaro 8, Obasa 7, Credo 4, Gomez 4, Padrigao 4, Chiu 3, Nieto 3, Tuano 2, Ong 0, Espinosa 0.

St. Clare 52 – Estacio 12, Galang 9, Estrada 9, Angeles 7, Tapenio 6, Ndong 4, Sual 3, Kane 2, Acosta 0, Yanes 0, Cabauatan 0, Decano 0.

Quarters: 20-10, 31-23, 43-33, 57-52.

– Rappler.com 

Clemente confirmed his decision to Rappler on Thursday, June 8, saying he won’t see action for the Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 tournament later this year as he begins moving forward towards his professional playing career.

The 24-year-old, who was NU’s leading scorer in UAAP Season 85, also confirmed that he plans to play with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the semi-pro Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) while he contemplates his next move. He is expected to make his debut in the third week of June.

“I think it’s the right time to turn pro and I feel that I’m ready for the next level,” Clemente, in an exclusive interview, said in a mix of English and Filipino. 

“I’m just waiting for an offer overseas, but for now, I’ll be playing with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns.”

The longtime National University student-athlete, who already impressed even as a high school standout, hopes to attract attention from a team in Japan, Korea, or Taiwan while he works on his craft as a basketball player against physically tougher opposition with Pampanga, his home province. 

Clemente confirmed that joining the PBA Draft is also an option.

He broke the news to teammates and coaches on Thursday, many of whom told Rappler that they’re excited for his future and support his decision.

“Sad and excitement,” Clemente responded when asked about his emotions following the decision. “Ever since, NU has been my home and comfort zone. But, [there’s] excitement because I will team up again with Justine Baltazar and play for Governor Delta and my hometown in the MPBL.”

Since high school, Baltazar has won a championship and made the Mythical Team with the La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP, played in the Japan B. League, and shone in the MPBL. 

But before all of that, together with Clemente, the duo helped steer NU’s high school program, the Bullpups, to a third championship in a five-year span in 2016, beating season MVP Aljun Melecio’s De La Salle Zobel in the finals.

While Baltazar committed to the Green Archers, Clemente stayed with the Bulldogs program despite offers from other universities. 

“Because NU gave me the opportunity to play here in Manila, that’s why I was loyal to NU ever since,” he said, recalling his decision to move seven years ago. 

It was fitting that Clemente’s high school mentor, Jeff Napa, would eventually become his head coach in the college ranks as well. 

Along with an on-the-rise core of collegiate standouts, Clemente and Napa helped National U make its return to the UAAP Final Four in Season 85, pushing then defending champion University of the Philippines to the brink in their semifinal encounter. 

NU should be expected to be a championship contender in Season 86 as one of the league’s “big boys.” 

Although the loss of Clemente, who was still suiting up for the Bulldogs in preseason games recently, will be a challenge to overcome. 

“Yes, coach Jeff understands, he is already like my second father, and he gives me advice about my decisions,” Clemente shared about breaking the news to his mentor.

During his four seasons in the UAAP, Clemente established himself as a respectable mid-range shooter, averaging a team-high 10.5 points to go with 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals a contest last season. He also shot 36% from the field, including 47% from inside the arc and 77% from the foul line.

Omar John, the Bulldogs’ foreign student-athlete, told Rappler that he believes even as Clemente heads the pros, NU can still be a title contender given the new talent that’s also entering the program’s UAAP roster.

That new talent pool includes superb rookie and UAAP juniors MVP Reinhard Jumamoy, talented combo guard LA Casinillo, and steady playmaker Donn Lim. – Rappler.com 

In a battle of two UAAP teams, the Fighting Maroons handed the UE Red Warriors a 22-point beatdown, 103-81, to notch their fourth straight win for a second-best 7-2 record in Group II.

Harold Alarcon led UP’s balanced charge with 17 points, while Francis Lopez poured in 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

CJ Cansino scored 14 points built on four long bombs, while Sean Alter and Reyland Torres added 11 markers apiece. 

After trailing by a point, 68-69, just 45 seconds into the fourth quarter, the Fighting Maroons suddenly shifted into high gear and went on a blazing 17-2 tear to lead by 14, 85-71, with 4:19 remaining.

Cansino knocked down two of his four three-pointers during that decisive run, while Alarcon, Lopez, and Alter combined for 11 points.

With UE still knocking on UP’s doors with under three minutes to play, 81-92, JD Cagulangan sank a cold-blooded triple to put the Fighting Maroons’ lead back to 14, 95-81, and crush any hopes of a Red Warriors comeback.

UP overcame a gutsy performance by UE’s high-scoring guard Noy Remogat, who sizzled for 30 points on 5-of-11 clip from long distance, along with 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.

Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles pushed their winning streak to three games with a 92-53 annihilation of the winless FAITH Bravehearts.

Big men Kai Ballungay and Joseph Obasa, who showed the way for the Blue Eagles in their 73-56 rout of the Red Warriors just a day earlier, picked up where they left off and propelled Ateneo once again to the double-digit triumph.

Ballungay connected on 10 of his 13 attempts to wind up with a game-high 22 points, while Obasa flirted with a double-double of 13 points and 9 rebounds.

Lebron Nieto and Ian Espinosa, meanwhile, tallied identical stat lines of 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists for the Blue Eagles, who improved to 3-5 but had bowed out of contention after a 0-5 start to the tournament. 

Adam Eric Fernado and Lloyd Aldrin Dimawala paced the Bravehearts with 11 markers each.

Finally, the San Sebastian Golden Stags took down the Arellano Chiefs for their second straight victory, 85-78.

Alex Desoyo dropped 21 points for San Sebastian, while Raymart Escobido contributed 15. 

On the other side, Jade Talampas paced Arellano with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The Scores

First Game

San Sebastian 85 – Desoyo 21, Escobido 15, Gabat 12, Felebrico 9, Suico 7, Aguilar 6, Castor 4, Shanoda 2, Barroga 2, Concha 2, Velasco 2, Paglinawan 0, Pascual 0.

Arellano 78 – Talampas 20, Sunga 14, Camay 13, Bagay 8, Abastillas 7, Valencia 3, Rosalin 2, Dela Cruz 1, Domingo 0, Villarente 0, Anama 0, Antonio 9, Oftana 0.

Quarters: 20-16, 41-37, 65-56, 85-78.

Second Game

Ateneo 92 – Ballungay 22, Obasa 13, Nieto 11, Espinosa 11, Tuano 8, Chiu 8, Lazaro 6, Quitevis 5, Ong 5, Credo 3, Gomez 0, Padrigao 0.

FAITH 53 – Fernado 11, Dimawala 11, Tan 10, Torrato 7, Narvaez 5, De Castro 3, Llmado 2, Amparo 2, Millares 2.

Quarters: 24-13, 42-21, 67-34, 92-53.

Third Game

UP 103 – Alarcon 17, Lopez 15, Cansino 14, Alter 11, Torres 11, Cagulangan 9, Briones 9, Pablo 4, Felicilda 4, Belmonte 4, Gagate 3, Abadiano 2.

UE 81 – Remogat 30, Jackson 18, Dumont-Cruz J. 11, Gilbuena 9, Rosete 4, Lingo-Lingo 3, Langit 2, Maga 2, Robles 2, Maxie 0, Maglupay 0, Tomas 0, Galang 0, Palaroan 0. 

Quarters: 19-18, 47-40, 68-66, 103-81.

– Rappler.com

Kai Ballungay topscored for Ateneo with 15 points on an efficient 6-of-8 clip from the field, while his fellow big man Joseph Obasa delivered a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Josh Lazaro added 9 points, while Sean Quitevis had an all-around performance of 6 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals for the already eliminated Blue Eagles. 

Coming off a tight first half, where UE only trailed by a single possession, 35-37, Ateneo flipped the switch in the third quarter and outscored the Red Warriors, 24-7, for a comfortable 61-42 cushion.

The Blue Eagles continued to pounce on the Red Warriors in the final frame, even stretching their lead to as many as 22 points, 71-49, with 3:46 left to play.

“We’re happy with the win. There’s nothing magical about adjustments at halftime,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin. “When your team doesn’t do things in the first half, that stuff impacts the game. We just came out in the third quarter and rebounded the ball better.”

Noy Remogat once again led UE in the scoring department with 13 points, while Abdul Sawat chipped in 10.

The loss also put the Red Warriors out of playoff contention at 3-5.

Like Ateneo, the Adamson Soaring Falcons breezed past the FAITH Colleges Bravehearts for their second straight win, 108-63.

Five players scored in double figures for Adamson, with Didat Hanapi pouring in a team-high 12 points.

Cedrick Manzano and Matthew Montebon had 11 points each, while Ray Allen Torres and John Arthur Calisay contributed 10 apiece for the Soaring Falcons, who improved to 5-4. 

Adam Eric Fernado paced the winless Bravehearts with 15 points.

EAC, JRU hold off separate NCAA foes

In the curtain-raiser, the EAC Generals emerged victorious against the Perpetual Help Altas, 79-71.

John Paul Maguilano stuffed the stat sheet with 22 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks to propel the also-ran EAC to the victory.

Jaerico Nunez and Arthur Roque, meanwhile, came up with 12 points apiece for Perpetual.

Finally, the JRU Heavy Bombers took advantage of the undermanned San Beda Red Lions to extend their winning streak to three games, 80-72, for a 4-4 slate.

Shawn Argente showed the way for JRU with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while Ry dela Rosa and Patrick Ramos put up 14 and 10 markers, respectively.

The Heavy Bombers survived a sensational outing by Bryan Sajonia, who exploded for 24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks for the eliminated San Beda, which only had 7 players in its lineup.

The Scores

First Game

EAC 79 – Maguilano 22, Cosa 14, Luciano 14, Robin 14, Ednilag 9, Cosejo 9, Gurtiza 4, Bacud 1, Balowa 0, Dominguez 0, Umpad 0, Ochavo 0.

Perpetual 71 – Nunez 14, Roque 14, Ferreras 10, Nitura 9, Pagaran 8, Cuevas 5, Razon 4, Ramirez 3, Boral 3, Orgo 1, Sevilla 0, Barcuma 0, Gelsano 0, Cauguiran 0.

Quarters: 22-22, 47-40, 65-53, 79-71.

Second Game

Adamson 108 – Hanapi 12, Manzano 11, Montebon 11, Torres 10, Calisay 10, Anabo 9, Ramos 8, Sicat 8, Cañete 7, Ignacio 6, Erolon 6, Colonia 4, Fuentebella 4, Barasi 2, Magbuhos 0.

FAITH 63 – Fernado 15, Dimawala 13, Narvaez 13, Villamor 9, Amparo 5, Laylo 3, Millares 3, Llamado 2, De Castro 0, Manipol 0.

Quarters: 23-21, 51-36, 80-51, 108-63.

Third Game

JRU 80 – Argente 18, Dela Rosa 14, Ramos 10, De Leon 8, Guiab 6, Medina 6, Mosqueda 4, Pabico 4, Sy 3, Arenal 3, Sarmiento 2, Bongay 2, Barrera 0, De Jesus 0, Raymundo 0.

San Beda 72 – Sajonia 24, Etulle 16, Alloso 15, Tagala 11, Jalbuena 6, Teruel 0, Dimaculangan 0.

Quarters: 18-17, 40-34, 65-53, 80-72.

Fourth Game

Ateneo 73 – Ballungay 15, Obasa 14, Lazaro 9, Quitevis 6, Gomez 6, Credo 5, Tuano 5, Nieto 4, Espinosa 3, Padrigao 3, Chiu 2, Ong 1.

UE 56 – Remogat 13, Sawat 10, Alcantara 8, Rosete 8, Lingo-Lingo 6, Dumont-Cruz J. 5, Gilbuena 3, Galang 3, Langit 0, Maxie 0, Maglupay 0, Tomas 0, Maga 0, Robles 0, Dumont-Cruz H. 0. 

Quarters: 17-15, 37-35, 61-42, 73-56.

– Rappler.com

“We understand his desire to return to the professional league and though it pains us to see him go, he has our complete and sincere support in his new endeavor,” the school said in a statement.

Yee, also the current head coach of two-time defending NCAA champion CSB Lady Blazers, immediately brought his winning ways to the up-and-coming Adamson squad after taking over from now-UST deputy Lerma Giron at the start of UAAP Season 85.

In just his first foray with the Lady Falcons, Yee steered the team to a top three finish with a 10-4 record for their first Final Four appearance since Season 76 back in 2014.

Adamson, however, ended its stellar run to then-defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs in the semifinal match off a four-set loss.

“The Adamson University community would like to thank him for all his contributions to the recent success of the WVT of Season 85,” the school’s statement continued.

“It was an inspiring journey for the Lady Falcons and without him as their head coach, their podium finish would not have been possible.”

Yee ends a one-year hiatus in the PVL, with his last go-around being a 2022 PVL All-Filipino Conference finals appearance with the Petro Gazz Angels.

With Farm Fresh, Yee goes on to mentor NCAA Season 97 MVP Mycah Go, his former top ward in St. Benilde before an ACL injury sidelined her for the rest of the Lady Blazers’ Season 98 title repeat finish. – Rappler.com

Guard Reyland Torres spearheaded the nine-man rotation’s efforts with 16 points off the bench on 7-of-12 shooting, while debuting big man Sean Alter impressed with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting with 7 rebounds in just 18 minutes.

Alter, who just arrived to the Philippines four days ago, was immediately thrust to heavy action for the 6-2 Maroons, who fought on to clinch a quarterfinals berth without the likes of Malick Diouf, CJ Cansino, and Francis Lopez.

“I’m still adjusting, but I feel like I’ve really hit the ground running,” said Alter, the 6-foot-8 prized Fil-Am recruit.

Megan Galang paced St. Clare’s descent to a 4-4 record with 14 points as anchor Babacar Ndong tallied 8 points and 13 boards.

Meanwhile, the also-ran JRU Heavy Bombers fired on all cylinders to eliminate the Mapua Cardinals in a high-scoring affair, 93-84.

Joshua Guiab sparked the bench mob with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go with 9 rebounds and 3 assists as JRU rose to a 3-4 slate. Mapua, on the other hand, sunk to 5-4.

Four other Heavy Bombers breached double-digit scoring, led by 15 points from Shawn Argente.

College veterans Adrian Nocum and Clint Escamis led the losing effort with 19 and 18 points, respectively.

Finally, the San Sebastian Stags escaped with a 68-66 win over the EAC Generals in a battle of eliminated teams.

Reggz Gabat led four Baste players in double figures with 17 points as Rommel Calahat stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, 12 boards, 5 assists, 4 blocks, and a steal for the 3-5 Stags.

JP Maguilano and Ralph Robin each scored 15 as EAC slipped to a 2-6 record. – Rappler.com