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Tag: FEU Tamaraws

  • UAAP champions FEU-D, UST fall short of NBA Rising Stars semifinals 

    UAAP champions FEU-D, UST fall short of NBA Rising Stars semifinals 

    The Philippines arrived in Singapore carrying the credentials of two reigning UAAP champions. It left with something just as valuable—proof that the country’s next generation can compete with some of Asia-Pacific’s finest basketball programs.

     

    Far Eastern University-Diliman and University of Santo Tomas both saw their campaigns in the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Invitational end in the group stage at the OCBC Arena, but not before showing they belonged on an international stage.

     

    Both squads opened the tournament by making emphatic statements.

     

    The Baby Tamaraws overwhelmed Singapore’s Hwa Chong Institution, 89-24, behind another balanced effort from their Gilas Youth standouts, while the Junior Growling Tigresses comfortably handled Mongolia’s Royal International School, 75-45, to immediately place themselves in contention for semifinal spots.

     

    Those convincing victories set up winner-take-all group finales against two of the tournament’s unbeaten teams.

     

    UST found itself within striking distance until the final seconds before absorbing a heartbreaking 81-78 defeat to Australia’s Rowville Secondary College.

     

    With the Junior Growling Tigresses trailing by six points in the closing moments, Sofia Petalcorin drilled a clutch three-pointer to trim the deficit to three.

     

    Rhiane Perez then created one final opportunity by forcing a turnover from Bridgette Kata, but her fast-break layup rolled off the rim. Lea Pinuela secured the offensive rebound, yet time expired before UST could attempt another shot.

     

    The loss allowed Rowville to finish atop Pool B after completing a perfect group-stage sweep.

     

    Earlier, the Australian school had also defeated Royal International School, 73-48.

     

    The Baby Tamaraws faced a similar uphill battle later in the day against Japan’s Tottori Johoku High School.

     

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    After trailing by nine points with under two minutes remaining, FEU-D launched one final rally, cutting the deficit to four after JJ Dagcutan converted a putback from a JB Cagurungan miss with just 17 seconds left.

     

    The comeback, however, stopped short.

     

    A pair of missed free throws by Dwyne Enriquez prevented the Baby Tamaraws from applying more pressure before Yuki Yamasaki calmly knocked down his free throws to seal an 81-75 victory that sent Tottori Johoku into the semifinals as Pool D champions.

     

    Despite the disappointing finishes, several Filipino standouts delivered throughout the tournament.

     

    Pinuela and Petalcorin carried UST with 16 points apiece in its battle against Rowville, while Perez flirted with a double-double after posting eight points and 12 rebounds. Lhian Arabi also anchored the interior with seven points and 13 rebounds.

     

    For FEU-D, Cagurungan and Prince Cariño once again led the offense with 16 points each against the Japanese side, while Cariño added eight rebounds. JA Lopez chipped in 10 points.

     

    Both players had already set the tone during the Baby Tamaraws’ dominant tournament opener, combining for 43 points against Hwa Chong after Cagurungan scored 22 and Cariño added 21.

     

    UST likewise received another all-around effort from Perez in its opening victory, where she collected 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Jesabel Anacan contributed a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double.

     

    Although neither Philippine representative advanced to the knockout stage, their performances reinforced the growing competitiveness of Philippine high school basketball against established programs from Australia, Japan, and across Asia—valuable experience that could pay dividends for many of these players as they continue their development on bigger stages.

     

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  • FEU Boys and UST Girls banner PH Flag in NBA Rising Invitationals

    FEU Boys and UST Girls banner PH Flag in NBA Rising Invitationals

    Winning a championship at home was only the beginning.

     

    For Far Eastern University-Diliman and University of Santo Tomas, their UAAP titles have now opened the door to a bigger stage as both schools represent the Philippines in the second edition of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore.

     

    The tournament gives the country’s top high school teams a chance to measure themselves against elite youth programs from across Asia, turning what is usually a domestic journey into an international test of growth and development.

     

    For FEU-Diliman, the experience is about more than results.

     

    “We have an expectation to gain a lot from this tournament (because) we’ll be playing international schools,” said Baby Tamaraws coach Allan Albano.

     

    The boys’ squad arrives with added confidence after receiving a boost from Gilas Pilipinas Youth standouts JB Cagurungan and Prince Cariño, who recently helped the national team capture gold in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers.

     

    Despite the demanding schedule and the quick turnaround from national team duties, Cariño said he is ready for another challenge.

     

    “My fatigue level is fine. I just maximize my rest and do time management,” Cariño said.

     

    “I just do proper recovery and sleep.”

     

    On the girls’ side, UST enters the competition carrying both excitement and curiosity as the Junior Growling Tigresses prepare to face unfamiliar opponents from around the region.

     

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    Their participation marks another milestone for a program that has steadily established itself among the country’s best.

     

    “I’ve never seen them this excited before. We’re extremely happy and we’re thankful to the NBA for inviting us,” said UST-SHS coach Arsenio Dysangco.

     

    “This is a very big event for us.

     

    “We’re all excited in this program because we have a chance to play against top basketball girls’ programs here in Asia.”

     

    Beyond the games themselves, the tournament also gives young athletes a chance to interact with basketball personalities they have long admired.

     

    Among the notable guests expected to attend are Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, former NBA guard Jeremy Lin, Hall of Fame sharpshooter Mitch Richmond, and WNBA legend Lauren Jackson.

     

    For FEU-Diliman and UST, the NBA Rising Stars Invitational offers something few high school teams experience—a chance to represent both school and country while seeing how their games stack up against the rest of Asia.

     

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  • PVL: Universities That Produced the Most Players in the League this Conference 

    PVL: Universities That Produced the Most Players in the League this Conference 

    The Premier Volleyball League isn’t just a battleground for the country’s best—it has become a reflection of where they were built.

     

    And in 2026, one thing is unmistakable: the UAAP remains the league’s most powerful talent engine.

     

    Across all 10 teams in the PVL All-Filipino Conference, the fingerprints of UAAP programs are everywhere. From star scorers to defensive anchors, from seasoned veterans to rising standouts, the collegiate league continues to dictate the rhythm of the professional game.

     

    At the center of it all is De La Salle Lady Spikers—not just producing talent, but sustaining a system that keeps feeding the pro ranks year after year.

     

    Built on a foundation shaped by Ramil de Jesus and his 12 championships, La Salle’s presence in the PVL goes beyond numbers. It’s about continuity. From established names like Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Ara Galang, and Kim Fajardo, Mika Reyes, and Kianna Dy to the next wave featuring Erika Santos and Alas standouts in Fifi Sharma, Julia Coronel, and Thea Gagate, the program continues to reload without losing its identity.

     

    What sets La Salle apart isn’t just volume—it’s the ability to evolve while staying dominant.

    But the story doesn’t end there.

     

    Adamson Lady Falcons have quietly built one of the most reliable pipelines in the modern era. Without a UAAP title to their name, they’ve instead carved out a reputation for producing adaptable, pro-ready players. Names like Jema Galanza, Eli Soyud, and Mylene Paat highlight a program that thrives on development over accolades.

     

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    Meanwhile, FEU Lady Tamaraws continue to supply the league with versatility. Led by veterans such as Rachel Daquis and supported by players like Bernadeth Pons and Gel Cayuna, FEU products are known for their ability to fit into any system—an invaluable trait in the ever-evolving pro game.

     

    The dominance of NU Lady Bulldogs at the collegiate level has also translated seamlessly into the pros. With stars like Bella Belen and Ivy Lacsina, alongside veterans such as Myla Pablo, the program has built a reputation for producing players who arrive in the PVL ready to contribute immediately.

     

    And then there’s UST Golden Tigresses—a program that continues to endure. Even without recent championships, UST remains a steady source of high-impact players. From icons like Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure to emerging contributors, the Tigresses prove that relevance isn’t always measured in titles alone.

     

    Beyond the UAAP, other pathways still exist.

     

    The NCAA Philippines, provincial schools, and even overseas institutions have carved out their own presence in the PVL. But in terms of scale, consistency, and influence, no system comes close to matching what the UAAP continues to produce.

     

    What the PVL shows today is not just a collection of teams—it’s a continuation of rivalries, systems, and cultures first forged in college gyms.

     

    And as long as that pipeline remains intact, the future of Philippine volleyball will continue to run through the UAAP.

     

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  • UAAP Final Four race goes down to the wire as Adamson, FEU, and UST battle for last two spots 

    UAAP Final Four race goes down to the wire as Adamson, FEU, and UST battle for last two spots 

    Clarity has finally arrived at the top—but chaos still reigns below. With the elimination of the UP Fighting Maroons, the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Final Four race has been trimmed to three teams fighting for the last two slots.

     

    Already through are the DLSU Lady Spikers and the defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs, leaving the rest to sort things out in the final stretch of the elimination round.

     

    The Adamson Lady Falcons, UST Golden Tigresses, and FEU Lady Tamaraws now find themselves locked in a race where every match carries weight and every result could shift the standings.

     

    Adamson holds the clearest path among the contenders. At 8-5, the Lady Falcons are in a “win and you’re in” scenario heading into their final game against FEU, a direct showdown that could settle the race outright.

     

    A victory would lift Adamson to 9-5 and secure its first Final Four appearance since Season 85. But with that simplicity comes pressure, knowing one slip could open the door for the chasing pack.

     

    FEU, meanwhile, faces a more delicate situation at 7-5. The Lady Tamaraws must navigate two final games with different stakes—first against Adamson, then against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

     

    If FEU wins both, it advances outright. But a split could drag them into playoff scenarios, while two losses would leave their fate dependent on other results, highlighting just how thin the margin for error has become.

     

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    UST finds itself in a similarly precarious spot, also holding a 7-5 record but facing arguably the toughest road. The Golden Tigresses must take care of business against UP before facing NU in their final assignment.

     

    Two wins would secure their place in the semifinals, but anything less could push them into a playoff—or potentially out of contention depending on how the other results unfold.

     

    While the race for the remaining spots intensifies, the battle at the top presents its own stakes. La Salle and NU are set for a crucial meeting that will determine the format of the semifinals.

     

    A win by NU ensures a traditional Final Four, while a La Salle victory would trigger a stepladder format and grant the Lady Spikers a direct ticket to the Finals.

     

    As the elimination round winds down, the picture is clear in one sense and wide open in another. Two teams are already in, but the final composition of the Final Four remains undecided.

     

    With only a handful of games left, the race has shifted from chasing wins to managing pressure—where every point could ultimately decide who moves forward and who gets left behind.

     

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