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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider NU eyes semis bonus; UST, Ateneo push to strengthen Final Four bids

NU eyes semis bonus; UST, Ateneo push to strengthen Final Four bids

Published Nov 14, 2025 01:49 pm

At A Glance

  • Pacesetter National University aims for a semifinal bonus, while University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo go all out for a Final Four boost in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Nov. 15.
Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7:30 a.m. – UST vs Ateneo (16U)
9:30 a.m. – UE vs NU (16U)
11:30 a.m. – UE vs NU (women’s)
1:30 p.m. – UE vs NU (men’s)
4:30 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (men’s)
7 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (women’s)
Pacesetter National University aims for a semifinal bonus, while University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo go all out for a Final Four boost in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Nov. 15.
Riding a four-game winning streak, the surging Bulldogs (10-2) look to extend their winning ways against the University of the East Red Warriors (0-12) in their 1:30 p.m. showdown, where a win would secure them a coveted twice-to-beat advantage.
Following that tiff is the crucial 4 p.m. clash between UST (6-5) and Ateneo (5-5), who are both eager to solidify their semis campaigns.
Despite an impressive campaign so far, NU head coach Jeff Napa admitted he remained unsatisfied and urged his players to remain hungry for improvement to keep that winning drive going.
“Hindi pa rin kami ganung ka-satisfied kasi alam na namin papasok [na kami] ng last stretch. May mga challenge na ini-explain namin sa mga players, said Napa.
“May mga kailangan kaming abutin para sa next stage, magawa na namin nang tama yung mga gusto naming mangyari,” he added.
Jake Figueroa remains to be NU’s go-to guy after stellar performances in their crucial matches that anchored the team to a return trip to the semis.
“Iniisip lang namin ‘yong last two elimination games namin, kasi sobrang importante nga para mataas ‘yong confidence namin sa semis, kung maka-chamba do’n makapasok sa finals,” said Figueroa.
Joining the 6-foot-3 Figueroa in leading the crew are Steve Nash Enriquez, PJ Palacielo, Mark Parks, Paul Francisco, Reinhard Jumamoy, and Omar John as the Bulldogs target a repeat over the winless UE side which leans on Precious Momowei and Wello Lingolingo for an elusive victory.
Meanwhile, UST and Ateneo are poised for another intense showdown following their triple-overtime thriller last Oct. 11, where the Tigers prevailed, 98-89.
The Tigers aim to keep the momentum going after ending their four-game slide with a 109-97 triumph over the Red Warriors even as the Blue Eagles also go for two in a row.
Expect Forthsky Padrigao, Nic Cabañero, and Collins Akowe at the forefront of the España-based squad, while Jared Bahay, Shawn Tuano, Kymani Ladi, Divine Adili, Jaden Lazo, and Dom Escobar spearhead the fight for the Katipunan crew.
In women’s action, UST shoots for its 12th straight victory at 7 p.m. against Ateneo without its chief tactician Haydee Ong, who will be serving a one-game suspension.
Reigning champion National University chases its 11th straight win when it battles the struggling UE at 11:30 a.m., while the 16U division heats up the morning slate with UST-Ateneo (7:30 a.m.) and UE-NU (9:30 a.m.) matchups.

Related Tags

NU Bulldogs UST Growling Tigers UE Red Warriors Ateneo Blue Eagles UAAP Season 88
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