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La Salle delivers statement sweep in UAAP golf
TAGAYTAY – From the opening drive to the final putt, De La Salle University turned the inaugural UAAP Season 88 Golf Tournament into a week-long showcase of championship culture, depth, and dominance, sweeping all four titles in resounding fashion at Tagaytay Midlands here on Thursday.
Backed by a program built on discipline, continuity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, the Green Archers and Lady Archers lived up to the immense pre-tournament hype and perhaps even exceeded it, capturing the men’s and women’s individual championships as well as both team crowns in a masterclass that could spark a new era for golf as a demonstration sport in the UAAP calendar.
But while La Salle stood tallest on the podium, the rest of the field left Tagaytay with a growing fire of their own. University of the Philippines, Ateneo, UST, and Adamson vowed to rebuild early, sharpen their lineups, and strike back next season after witnessing firsthand the level required to compete with the Green Archers’ powerhouse program.
Leading La Salle’s charge was Perry Bucay, who shrugged off an early surge by UP’s Joshua Buenaventura before regaining control midway through the final round to complete a seven-stroke triumph in the men’s individual competition with a 74.
Buenaventura briefly ignited hopes of a dramatic comeback with two birdies against a bogey through the first four holes while Bucay stumbled with a bogey-double bogey stretch starting on No. 4. What had been a three-shot cushion suddenly became a one-shot deficit for the La Salle ace.
But champions respond under pressure, and Bucay did exactly that.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
He steadied himself with two birdies against a bogey over the next five holes for a 37 at the turn, while Buenaventura unraveled with back-to-back double bogeys from No. 8 for a 39. The momentum swing proved decisive.
Bucay calmly navigated the back nine with a 37 to finish with a two-over card and a four-day aggregate of five-over 293, sealing the victory and the gold medal.
Buenaventura settled for silver at 300 after a 78, while another La Salle standout, Zach Castro, secured bronze at 304 following an 81.
“It feels ecstatic. We’re all very happy to win the first-ever UAAP golf title,” said Bucay, his voice hoarse from cheering for his teammates.
“I just focused on staying steady. On the final day, a lot of players get tired, so I had to keep my stamina and focus. It’s draining not just physically, but mentally as well,” he added.
In the end, the grind was worth it as they made history in the event presented by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Wilson Philippines, and Akari.
“Hopefully, we can sustain this success. UAAP is different because it’s the highest collegiate sports organization, so the recognition and support are on another level,” Bucay said, while also crediting their stint in the ICTSI Intercollegiate Tournament last year.
“We’re very grateful for the IIT because it prepared us well. There’s a lot that goes into getting a team ready for a week-long golf tournament, and having gone through that before helped us. We’re thankful for the resources and support from our school, and that definitely prepared us for this week.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The women’s division produced another La Salle showcase as Julia Lua survived a fierce all-day duel with teammate Alexa Dacanay to complete a dominant 1-2 finish for the Lady Archers.
Lua delivered clutch birdies and pars down the stretch to rescue an 80 and finish with a 330 total, defeating Dacanay by four strokes after the latter, who tied Lua with seven holes to play, hobbled at the finish, fumbling with two bogeys and a double bogey on the last hole for an 83 and 334. Ateneo’s Monique Mendoza, who led in the first round, wound up third at 343 following an 88.
With Janine Yusay contributing a 105, La Salle amassed a final-round 268 and a four-day total of 1056 to storm to the women’s team championship by 21 shots over Ateneo, which finished with 1077 after a 274 behind rounds of 88 from Mendoza, and 92 and 94 from Simi Tinio and Andie Joson, respectively.
UP placed third at 1138 after a 283 built around Ava Heredia and Annika Gozum’s pair of 91s and Katrisse Datoc’s 101. UST and Adamson wound up fourth and fifth with 320-1289 and 365-1478, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The La Salle men were every bit as imposing.
Jacob Cajita and Martin Lu backed Bucay’s 74 with 75 and 76, respectively, as the Green Archers closed with a 225 for an overwhelming 898 total – 30 strokes clear of UP’s 928.
Miggy Roque shot a 75 for the Fighting Maroons, while Buenaventura had a 78, and Emilio Carpio added an 83 in UP’s final-round 236.
Ateneo took third at 938 after a 234 behind Schmuel Tan’s 74, a 79 from Mich Romero, and an 81 from either Juan Escano and Glenn Unabia. UST and Adamson finished with 262-1005 and 367-1477, respectively.
Yet beyond the trophies and statistics, the tournament may ultimately be remembered for what it revealed about the future of collegiate golf.
La Salle’s commanding sweep underscored not just elite talent but the strength of a sports program capable of developing depth, composure, and championship mentality across multiple divisions. And with rival schools already plotting their revenge and promising heavier preparation for next season, the inaugural UAAP golf tournament may have just ignited the sport’s next great collegiate rivalry.
Meanwhile, host UST will hold a formal closing ceremony on Friday (May 15) at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion starting at 4:30 p.m., with the main program set to begin at 6 p.m.
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Jhustin Hallare and Bruce Tubongbanua have gone through so many battles together.
From being 15-year-olds facing players four years older than them, competing on both 5-on-5 and 3×3 courts, to representing the country with Gilas Pilipinas Boys, they have experienced it all side by side.
Now, the two are embarking on a new journey together.
Hallare and Tubongbanua, pillars of the University of the Philippines Integrated School basketball program, have transferred to Ateneo High School.
It was not a move born out of a desire to leave the school that gave them their opportunity, but one brought about by the dissolution of UPIS’ Under-19 team ahead of UAAP Season 89.
“Nakakalungkot po kasi akala namin ito na yung panibagong opportunity na magbubukas para sa growth namin,” shared the 17-year-old Hallare.
“But we’re still grateful that schools are still interested in taking us in.”
“Of course, I’m very sad about what happened with our team in UPIS, especially because UPIS was the school that helped build my character and made me the person I am today. But I’m still very grateful to UPIS for everything. I was well taken care of by the teachers, coaches, and even my classmates, and I’ll always appreciate the experiences and memories I made there,” expressed Tubongbanua, also 17.
“I believe everything happens for a reason, and moving forward, I’m very happy and excited for my next two years here sa Ateneo.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UP Cebu, the school both Hallare and Tubongbanua were supposed to transfer to, was initially set to replace UPIS in the Season 89 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament. However, that move will no longer push through.
As a result, the two had to find a new school as soon as possible.
For Hallare, moving to Ateneo was a no-brainer. After all, he had previously studied there.
“Ateneo has always been one of my dream schools, at dahil nag-aral na po ako doon noong Grade 7 and 8, familiar na rin po ako sa school, and I have good relationships with the teachers and staff, and of course my used to be teammates and friends are also in Ateneo,” shared Hallare.
Meanwhile, Tubongbanua’s decision was also relatively easy, with two of his siblings already studying at Ateneo.
“Ateneo is a great school, and I also feel like its system would fit me well. It’s also not too far from where I live, and choosing Ateneo wasn’t a difficult decision for me since both of my siblings also studied here,” said Tubongbanua.
“I’ve also heard great things about the coaching staff, and I believe the team has a lot of potential and is capable of achieving great things.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the basketball court, Hallare and Tubongbanua will bring plenty to Bacon Austria’s program.
During their 16U years, they were part of the UAAP Elite Team while in the 19-and-under ranks, Tubongbanua averaged 16.43 points, 6.79 rebounds, 2.21 assists, and 1.21 steals, while Hallare followed with 14.29 points, 5.71 rebounds, 2.79 assists, and 0.93 steals.
Tubongbanua also suited up for Gilas Pilipinas Boys in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026, while Hallare was part of the national team during the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2025.
It remains unknown whether Hallare and Tubongbanua will be automatically eligible for UAAP Season 89 after coming from a program that has been dissolved.
Regardless of their eligibility status, however, the two are grateful that they get to begin this new chapter together.
“I just want to continue improving and honing my craft, with the ultimate goal of working my way up to the senior level. But right now ang main priority as me and Bruce join the Blue and White is to do whatever we can to help Ateneo win a championship,” said Hallare.
“Jhustin’s and my first goal at Ateneo is to contribute to the Ateneo community and show them what kind of student-athletes we are and what we can contribute to the school. Of course, our next goal is to help the Blue Eagles,” shared Tubongbanua.
“Our main goal is to win a championship, but more importantly, we want to help our teammates develop not only on the basketball court but also as individuals outside of it.”
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University of the Philippines once again turned up the pressure after halftime, pulling away from Ateneo de Manila University for a 94-75 victory in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
After keeping the Blue Eagles within striking distance for most of the first half, the Fighting Maroons broke the game open in the third quarter, outscoring Ateneo, 20-10, to take a 66-55 advantage heading into the final frame.
It was another second-half surge for UP, which also overcame a tight opening-day battle against the University of Santo Tomas. The Fighting Maroons used a strong third quarter to turn that game around before securing a 92-85 victory.
The first half against Ateneo was just as tightly contested, with the two teams combining for seven deadlocks and seven lead changes before UP began to create separation after the break.
The victory moved the Fighting Maroons to the top of the standings at 2-0, while the Blue Eagles slipped to 1-1 and joined a four-way logjam.
UP will look to remain unbeaten when it faces National University next Saturday at 6 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Ateneo, meanwhile, will try to bounce back earlier that day when it takes on Adamson University at 12 p.m.
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National University Nazareth School retained its spot at the top of the UAAP Season 89 16-and-under basketball tournament after steamrolling past University of the Philippines Integrated School, 100-45, on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The defending champion Bullpups remained unbeaten at 4-0, one game ahead of the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, who likewise kept their winning streak alive at 3-0. NUNS also extended its winning streak to 20 games, dating back to Season 88.
Jerick Geron led all scorers with 16 points in his second outing of the season, while Elijah Javier posted a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
“Thankful po ako kay Coach Leo (Pujante). Binigyan niya po ako ng opportunity na ipakita yung laro ko. Marami pa akong pagkukulang pero thankful din ako na maganda nilaro ko ngayon,” said Geron, who saw increased playing time after playing just three minutes in his only other outing against the University of Santo Tomas.
Despite getting into early foul trouble that kept him on the bench for most of the first half, Jesse Arellano also recorded a double-double, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Bullpups.
Holding an already insurmountable 88-42 lead entering the fourth quarter, the Bullpups held the Fighting Maroons to just three points the rest of the way.
NUNS big men Chandler Cano and Marrion Dizon returned to action after missing the previous game due to chickenpox. This time, Railey Pangan sat out because of the same illness.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Later, the Baby Tamaraws, the only other undefeated team in the tournament, held their ground with an 86-76 victory over De La Salle-Zobel.
Nicus Calma put on a stellar shooting display, scoring 20 points while shooting 46.7 percent from the field, 50 percent from beyond the arc, and a perfect 100 percent from the free-throw line.
The 6-foot-1 forward also came close to a double-double with nine rebounds after averaging just three points per game prior to Wednesday’s contest.
Bernard Alsola and Griffin Barlan chipped in 15 and 14 points, respectively, for FEU-D.
Despite the win, head coach Muriel Garcia highlighted how his team’s lead slipped during the final quarter and regretted putting his third-stringers into the game too early, while still maintaining optimism for the future.
“Kung magpapatuloy lang ‘yung magagandang ginagawa namin, tsaka ‘yung magandang character nila, siguro makakapasok ulit kami sa Finals,” said Garcia.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Rounding out the triple-header, Adamson University secured its first win of the season with a 78-56 victory over Ateneo de Manila University, improving to 1-2 and tying UST for fifth place.
After the final deadlock at 16-16 with 2:12 left in the first quarter, the Baby Falcons pulled away and took a 15-point lead by halftime.
Kobe Edrada topped all scorers with 22 points and seven assists. Raphael Gayatin and Dwayne Sepnio also finished in double figures with 16 and 14 points, respectively, for Adamson.
Head coach Dante Tangco credited his squad, which is composed mostly of rookies and has only two holdovers from Season 88.
“Quite honestly, we’re very happy that we’ve gone over the hump. I hope it goes all the way, and I think we just have to practice more and play as a team. Relatively, the team’s very new,” he said.
Zandro Lugatiman finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Kean Poquiz added 12 points and two steals for the Fighting Maroons.
Ryle Villaruz had a double-double for the Junior Archers, tallying a game-high 27 points and 12 rebounds. Enzo Purugganan added 18 points and three assists despite the loss as DLSZ dropped to fourth at 2-2.
For Ateneo, Jayden Ylen posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Karl Gandionco added 11 points and seven rebounds. Richkurt Dela Cruz and Ezequiel Molina also finished in double figures with 10 points apiece.
Both UPIS and Ateneo remained at the bottom of the standings with identical 0-3 records.
The Scores:
First Game:
NUNS 100 – Geron 16, Javier 13, Flores Jr. 12, Arellano 11, Enriquez 9, Osorio 9, Cano 8, Macoy 6, Dalanan 5, Tundag 4, Lopez 4, Mayor 3, Garcia 0, Genido 0, Dizon 0.
UPIS 45 – Lugatiman 18, Poquiz 12, Floriendo 6, Bautista 6, Labao 2, David 1, Santos 0, Romey 0, Sebastian 0.
Quarterscores: 29-10, 67-32, 88-42, 100-45.
Second Game:
FEU-D 86 – Calma 20, Alsola 15, Barlan 14, Mampao 8, Samonte 6, Cruz 6, Isip 5, Ira 4, Maghinay 4, Madrigal 4, Garcia 0, Manaloto 0, Vale 0, Castro 0, Salazar 0.
DLSZ 76 – Villaruz 27, E. Purugganan 18, Dizon 7, Santiago 7, Francisco 7, Mercado 6, I. Purugganan 2, Quillo 1, Noel 1, Dela Lara 0, Paceno 0, Enriquez 0.
Quarterscores: 28-17, 53-39, 69-54, 86-76.
Third Game:
AdU 78 – Edrada 22, Gayatin 16, Sepnio 14, Maycong 6, Espiritu 5, Cads 4, Delos Santos Jr. 4, Bulan 4, Caintic 3.
Ateneo 56 – Ylen 16, Gandionco 11, Dela Cruz 10, Molina 10, Nuque-Bautista 5, Llavore 2, Dolera 2, Dionisio 0, Saw 0, Manlutac 0, Mabigat 0, Beley 0, Lucero 0, Shi 0, Bayona Jr. 0.
Quarterscores: 19-16, 45-30, 59-45, 78-56.
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