Far Eastern University and National University stake their men’s and women’s crowns today (Saturday) in the UAAP Season 81 3×3 basketball tournament at the Ayala Malls Feliz in Pasig.
Wendel Comboy and Kenneth Tuffin are coming back to join forces with Alec Stockton and Clifford Jopia for the Tamaraws’ back-to-back title bid.
Fiba 3×3 campaigner Jack Danielle Aninam, Ria Nabalan, Monique del Carmen and Congolese Rhena Itesi will spearhead the Lady Bulldogs.
Men’s action tips off at 12:05 p.m., while hostilities in the distaff side will start earlier at 11:30 a.m.
Tournament format calls for a single-round eliminations, with the top four teams advancing to Sunday’s knockout semifinals. The Finals, which is also a one-game affair, will also be played later in the day.
University of the Philippines has pulled all the stops with Fiba 3×3 veterans Ricci Rivero and Juan Gomez de Liaño leading the way, together with Javi Gomez de Liaño and Will Gozum.
Not far behind is Ateneo, which will banner Thirdy Ravena, Matt Nieto, Matthew Daves and Ivorian Ange Kouame.
University of Santo Tomas, which did not parade a men’s team last season, will make its 3×3 debut behind Renzo Subido, Soulemane Chabi Yo, Dave Ando and Rhenz Abando.
Adamson University’s Jerrick Ahanmisi, Simon Camacho, Jerom Lastimosa and Keith Zaldivar, De La Salle’s Jordan Bartlett, Mark Dyke, Christian Manaytay and Encho Serrano, and NU’s Daniel Chatman, JV Gallego, Michael Malonzo and Karl Penano complete the seven-team field.
University of the East, last year’s runner-up, is not fielding a men’s team in the two-day competition.