FAR Eastern University-Diliman and National University Nazareth School opened their respective title retention bids in the UAAP Season 86 High School 3×3 Basketball Boys’ and Girls’ divisions with a spotless Day 1 yesterday at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
The Baby Tamaraws finished the first day of elimination round with a 2-0 record, beating Adamson University 15-11 and escaping De La Salle-Zobel 20-18.
Veejay Pre was a man on a mission for FEU-D, tallying five points and 15 rebounds against the Baby Falcons and recording nine points, six rebounds, and three blocks against the Junior Archers.
For the Grade 12 big man, it’s about redemption in his final run in the high school division after failing to defend their crown in the 5-on-5 earlier this year.
“Kailangan namin madefend yung title namin and yun nga natalo kami sa 5-on-5 so dito namin babawiin yung gold,” said Pre, a graduating forward.
Dwyne Miranda, Jedric Daa, and Jiro Mecha completed the quartet of the Baby Tamaraws.
Also ending Day 1 in the boys’ side unbeaten was University of Santo Tomas composed of Charles Bucsit, Koji Buenaflor, JB Lim, and Carl Manding.
The Tiger Cubs stunned last year’s runner-up NUNS 21-10 with 2:09 to spare, while also defeating earlier in the day University of the Philippines Integrated School, 19-13.
Meanwhile, NUNS, Adamson, University of the East, and Ateneo de Manila University all logged a 1-1 record.
The win for the Blue Eagles, who also has Adolf Cruz, Uno Prado, and Patrick Chan in its lineup, came at the expense of the Fighting Maroons in nail-biting fashion as Danger Tupaz drilled the game-winning deuce in overtime 22-21.
The Bullpups, consisting of Klein Tagotongan, Prince Barraca, and Francis Herrera, got their win over Ateneo, 21-9 with 2:19 remaining as Kurl Figueroa drained the winner.
