Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Bureau
Juan Karlo Libunao (JKL)
UE upsets defending champs, hands La Salle’s first loss
University of the East pulled off a shocker when they defeated the defending champion, De La Salle Green Archers, 75-71, in the UAAP’s 87th Season at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Red Warriors also gave La Salle its first loss of the season in front of the 6,946 spectators inside the arena who also witnessed them shoot an astonishing 12-of-30 from downtown.
John Abate led the Recto side with a career game of 20 points while firing a perfect 3-of-3 from the arc, also grabbing four boards, and sinking two-pressure packed free throws with 3.4 seconds left to complete the upset.
Wello Lingolingo had 18 points built on six triples, Gjerard Wilson contributed 10 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists, and Precious Momowei produced only five markers but hauled 12 boards.
“This batch is capable of competing and beating the No. 1 team,” beamed coach Jack Santiago as the Red Warriors improved to 2-2.
“I will give credit to my boys 'cause during our practice, I saw the intensity already. I just told them we have a good start and keep the game close,” he added.
UE actually waxed hot from the very beginning and built an early 28-11 and hold on to it until the end even though the Green Archers rallied from a 71-59 deficit in the final three minutes of the game, and got close within two points, 73-71, after Kevin Quiambao made a bucket with 28.4 seconds remaining.
Quiambao, the defending Season and Finals MVP, had a chance to bring the game to overtime but he uncharacteristically missed two free throws with 15.8 remaining on the clock. The misses led to Abate putting the finishing touches by sinking the free throws of his own.
KQ still led La Salle with 17 points, nine rebounds, and five dimes but his 4-of-10 shooting from the line overshadowed his efforts.
Michael Phillips backed him up with 16 markers and nine boards, while Vhoris Marasigan nabbed 10 in the loss.
The Scores:
UE 75 – Abate 20, Lingolingo 18, Wilson 10, Galang 7, Maga 7, Momowei 5, J. Cruz-Dumont 5, Fikes 3, Jimenez 0, Mulingtapang 0, Malaga 0.
LA SALLE 71 – Quiambao 17, M. Phillips 16, Marasigan 10, Agunanne 8, Gollena 6, Macalalag 5, Gonzales 3, David 2, Abadam 2, Dungo 2, Ramiro 0.
Quarters: 28-11, 42-38, 56-50, 75-71.
News
In John Amores' return to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), he posted on his Facebook account following his comeback game against the Terrafirma Dyip.
“Psalms 62:1-8,” he wrote.
Amores scored five points in nine minutes of action, but his team fell short, 113-100.
Amores was involved in a shooting incident in 2024, which led to the league banning him for two years and revoking his professional basketball license.
He later regained his license and is now cleared to play in the country's premier professional basketball league.
Gilas Pilipinas Women's 3x3 player Beth Pettinggil shared her thoughts on Instagram after representing the country at the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Xiantao Stop in China.
The Gilas Women's team (Manila Gilas) made history by finishing fourth, the highest placement ever by the Philippine national team in the tournament.
They defeated Paraguay, 20-17, to advance to the semifinals before falling to China, 21-11, in the semifinals.
Pettinggil also made history as the first naturalized player in the Gilas Pilipinas Women's basketball program.
"Craziest side quest ever but I officially have Filipino citizenship and get to represent the Philippines in 3x3!!! Feeling so blessed to get to play the sport I love and compete within such a supportive and passionate community. Just the beginning with the Gilas family ," she wrote.
To more side quests, Beth!
Alex Eala will return in the Philippines for a brief visit and hold a meet-and-greet for her fans following her latest achievements in tennis, and in Philippine sports history.
The event will take place at the Glorietta Activity Center on July 15, and will be open to the public.
Eala will share her experience from her Wimbledon campaign, and deliberate her preparations for the next Grand Slam Tournament, the US Open, which will be held from August 30 to September 13 in NY.
This will be her second visit to the country this year, with her first being during the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open this previous January, where she reached the quarterfinals, before falling short to Camila Osorio, 4-6, 4-6. Osorio eventually won the singles champion of that tournament.
The Filipina tennis ace made history by becoming the first Filipina player to advance to the Round of 16 in a Grand Slam Tournament as a seeded player.
The schedule for the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2027 was announced today by FIBA through its official Instagram account.
Cebu will serve as the host city for the tournament, with the games set to be held at SM Seaside Arena. It will mark the second time the Philippines has hosted the FIBA Women's Asia Cup since 2013 FIBA Asia Cup in Manila.
The Philippine national team was drawn into Group B alongside powerhouse countries China, Japan, and Lebanon.
Gilas are set to face China today, Japan on July 13, and Lebanon on July 14.
PBA rookie Geo Chiu and the Terrafirma Dyip are off to a good start in the PBA Governor's Cup after defeating the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, 113-100, on July 10 at the Ynares Center.
Chiu finished with 19 points and a career-high 23 rebounds, showcasing his dominance on the offensive end while controlling the boards early in his professional basketball career.
With that performance, he earned the Best Player and Rebounder of the Game awards.
Terrafirma also outclassed Titan on the boards, recording 94 rebounds compared to Ultra's 52, setting a new PBA record for most rebounds in a game.
The previous record holder was Gibby's Gin (now Barangay Ginebra), which grabbed 87 rebounds against Toyota in 1983.
Import Justin Strings also contributed 25 points, while JM Bravo, Didat Hanapi, Juami Tiongson, and Maverick Ahanmisi added 15, 14, 13, and 11 points, respectively.
The Dyip are scheduled to face the NLEX Road Warriors on July 12. NLEX also opened their campaign with a dominant 114-75 victory over the Macau Giant Pandas, with new head coach Jimmy Alapag looking to keep the team's momentum going.
