UAAP Women’s Basketball: NU denies UST late comeback; Adamson powers past Ateneo
The National University Lady Bulldogs crumbled the hopes of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses of retaining their crown with a 75-69 win in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball Finals at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, September 21.
The Growling Tigresses made an effort to rally past NU in the third quarter with seven points, 68-61, anchored from three straight three-pointers courtesy of Karylle Sierba, Eka Soriano, and Kent Pastrana.
Determined to duplicate their win in Game 3, the Tigresses hauled a 14-point deficit led by rookie Gin Relliquette who basketed a three-pointer to make it 71-64.
However, the Lady Bulldogs weathered the late comeback of the Tigresses as they recreated a 9-point separation off Cielo Pagdugagan’s layup at the 2:22 mark, 75-64, to seal NU’s victory.
“We’re happy with the win but there’s a lot of work to be done in moving forward with this season. We must get better at protecting leads,” said NU coach Aris Dimaunahan, urging the team to fix its lapses.
Jainaba Konateh tallied a game-high 17 points along with nine rebounds, while Camille Clarin paced the team with 14 markers, 5 boards, and 4 assists.
Angel Surada finished with a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds as NU remained the lone undefeated team in the women’s basketball tournament with a 4-0 record, sending UST down to a 3-1 slate.
Relliquette, on the other hand, finished with a team-high 12 markers. Bridgette Santos also scored 11 along with five assists, four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
Meanwhile, the Adamson Lady Falcons overturned a fourth quarter deficit against Ateneo Lady Eagles to claim a 78-72 victory, for a record tie of 3-1 with UST.
The Lady Falcons recovered a slim 71-70 lead as Elaine Etang sank two crucial free throws. Ateneo was hell-bent on reclaiming the lead but a turnover committed by Kailah Oani after the timeout left Kim Limbago to basket a three-pointer with 42.4 seconds to go.
The Lady Eagles once again lost the ball following another timeout, forcing Junize Calago to foul Etang who sank another free throw to give the Lady Falcons a 75-70 cushion with 36.5 seconds left.
Kat Agojo sealed the win for Adamson by netting two free throws after a foul from Sandra Villacruz.
Etang paced the team with 15 points and five rebounds followed by Nigerian center Victoria Adeshina with 13 and five boards.
The Scores:
First Game
NU 75 – Konateh 17, Clarin 14, Surada 11, Pagdulagan 9, Pingol 9, Cayabyab 6, Fabruada 4, Betanio 3, Canuto 2, Solis 0, Talas 0.
UST 69 – Relliquette 12, Santos 11, Dionisio 10, Soriano 8, Pastrana 7, Bron 6, Maglupay 5, N. Danganan 5, Sierba 3, Ambos 2, Serrano 0, Pineda 0.
Quarters: 24-16, 41-30, 62-42, 75-69.
Second Game
Adamson 77 – Etang 15, Adeshina 13, Mazo 11, E. Alaba 7, Agojo 7, Limbago 5, Apag 5, Meniano 5, Padilla 3, Ornopia 3, Manlimos 3, Bajo 0, Cortez 0, A. Alaba 0.
Ateneo 72 – Calago 25, Makanjoula 21, Dela Rosa 10, Oani 7, Villacruz 7, Batongbakal 2, Eufemanio 0, Cancio 0, Angala 0, Olivenza 0, Aquirre 0.
Quarters: 16-24, 29-37, 58-55, 77-72.
Similar news
The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).