Blue Eagles, Lady Bulldogs rule UAAP 3x3 hoops

PASIG, Philippines – The Ateneo Blue Eagles and the NU Lady Bulldogs came out victorious in the second UAAP 3x3 basketball tournament at the Ayala Malls Feliz in Pasig on Sunday.

Sweeping both of their divisions, both Ateneo and NU came out strong every time, besting everyone who challenged them en route to their respective 3x3 crowns.

Ateneo outplayed UST in the men's division finals, 19-10, while the Lady Bulldogs just cruised past Adamson, 21-3.

The Lady Bulldogs remain unbeaten in the tournament's two seasons, bagging to back-to-back titles.

NU dominated their opponents in most, if not all, of their outings on the court.

It seems like whether it's a full-court five-on-five or a faster-paced 3x3, the Lady Bulldogs are an absolute force to reckon with.

Despite their dominance, Lady Bulldog Jack Animam doesn't get complacent.

Knowing the preparation of every opponent they meet on the court, the MVP never takes it easy.

"Syempre lahat naman ng schools nagtatrabaho... sobrang dami ng sacrifices ng lahat," Animam said.

"So parang kami, andito na tayo eh. Bakit pa natin papakawalan, why not continue nalang namin?" she added.

Meanwhile, Ateneo's Thirdy Ravena looked at the exhibition tournament as a good preview of the talent in next season's men's basketball tournament.

"Of course, because of 3x3, nakita natin lahat yung individual showcase na pwede nilang madala sa court," Ravena said.

"It's a big thing, tulad ngayon nakilala ko si Abantos... he's going to be a threat to the whole league in the next coming years," Ravena said of UST's Rhenz Abando, whom he faced in the 3x3 finals.

Come Season 82, Ravena and the Blue Eagles hope to defend their championship and make it three in a row.