Camille Naredo

Action between NU and La Salle in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament. UAAP Media

Action between NU and La Salle in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.

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UAAP Season 88

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764666968898UAAP88 MBB - TEBOL GARCIA-5804.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Action between NU and La Salle in the UAAP Season 88 men&#x27;s basketball tournament. UAAP Media" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Action between NU and La Salle in the UAAP Season 88 men&#x27;s basketball tournament. <em>UAAP Media</em></span></span></span>MANILA -- Top-ranked National University and the University of the Philippines are anticipating tough battles despite holding a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4 of the UAAP Season 88 men&#x27;s basketball tournament.</div><p>The Bulldogs, seeded at No. 1, will take on a dangerous La Salle squad at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.</p><p>Meanwhile, defending champion UP is looking to oust University of Santo Tomas in their 4:30 p.m. showdown, in what is a rematch of last season&#x27;s Final 4.</p><p>National U swept La Salle in the elimination round but head coach Jeff Napa has no illusions about the challenge that they are facing in the semifinals.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/11/26/uaap-la-salle-completes-final-4-cast-eliminates-ateneo-feu-1929">READ: La Salle completes Final 4 cast, eliminates Ateneo, FEU</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/11/15/uaap-nu-averts-upset-vs-ue-to-secure-final-4-bonus-1549">READ: National U averts upset vs. UE to secure Final 4 bonus</a></div><p>&quot;There&#x27;s no assurance and there&#x27;s no guarantee kahit may twice-to-beat ka na makakaabot ka sa Finals or sa championship,&quot; said Napa, recalling how the Bulldogs blew a twice-to-beat advantage against UST in the UAAP Season 76 Final 4.</p><p>&quot;Ang importante sa amin is how we perform pa rin, how we approach the game pa rin, and how we level up our game pa rin. ‘Yon yung pinaka-important sa amin. Kung magawa ‘man namin talaga iyon, ibibigay talaga sa amin ng basketball gods kung ano yung para sa amin talaga,&quot; he added.</p><p>Should they beat La Salle, the Bulldogs will make their first Finals appearance since Season 77, when they ended a six-decade title drought. </p><p>Meanwhile, La Salle is embracing its status as the underdog in the Final 4.</p><p>&quot;They (NU) are really gonna come in confident. You know, they&#x27;ve really been a solid team. They&#x27;ve matured. You know, they have a great leader in Jake Figueroa,&quot; said Green Archers coach Topex Robinson.</p><p>&quot;We&#x27;re just gonna keep on battling and grinding. You know, we&#x27;re just happy to be here,&quot; he added, noting that La Salle struggled just to make it to the Final 4 after an injury-plagued campaign. &quot;We&#x27;re just gonna keep on trusting each other, preparing for what&#x27;s gonna be in front of us. So, just enjoying the moment as well.&quot;</p><p>The Green Archers have welcomed back Mason Amos from an MCL injury, with the big man playing limited minutes in their last two elimination round games. Kean Baclaan, meanwhile, is tipped to return in the Final 4. </p><p>NU is also complete, with Gelo Santiago returning from a five-game ban.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>REMOGAT SET FOR FINAL 4 DEBUT</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764666947407UAAP88 MBB - Collins Akowe-3842.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Action between UST and UP in the UAAP Season 88 men&#x27;s basketball tournament. UAAP Media" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Action between UST and UP in the UAAP Season 88 men&#x27;s basketball tournament. <em>UAAP Media</em></span></span></span></strong></div><p>The Fighting Maroons, meanwhile, recovered from a 0-2 start to reach the Final 4 for the seventh consecutive season -- the longest active streak in the league.</p><p>Standing in their way of another Finals appearance is UST, and star guard Noy Remogat is cautious of the Growling Tigers as he prepares to make his debut on the semifinals stage.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/11/23/uaap-ust-catches-fire-against-national-u-to-punch-final-4-ticket-1839">READ: UST catches fire against National U to punch Final 4 ticket</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/11/19/uaap-up-completes-16-pt-fight-back-vs-ateneo-to-clinch-final-4-incentive-1931">READ: UP completes 16-pt fight back vs. Ateneo to clinch Final 4 incentive</a></div><p>&quot;Excited ako, pero at the same time, gusto ko i-focus yung sarili ko sa game. Minsan kasi yung excitement, pwede ka dalhin sa kapahamakan. Kaya kailangan mag-focus pa rin kasi pag nag-focus ka, dadalhin ka nito sa maganda ‘eh. Susulitin ko lang yung moment talaga,&quot; said Remogat.</p><p>A Finals berth would also give UP super seniors Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, and Gerry Abadiano another chance at a title, ending their collegiate careers as winners.</p><p>UST, for its part, is hoping to extend the final season of seniors Nic Cabañero and Fortsky Padrigao.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>NU, ATENEO WOMEN IN DO-OR-DIE</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764666928711UAAP S88 WBB - Aloha Betanio-06549.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Action between Ateneo and NU in the UAAP Season 88 women&#x27;s basketball tournament. UAAP Media" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Action between Ateneo and NU in the UAAP Season 88 women&#x27;s basketball tournament. <em>UAAP Media</em></span></span></span></strong></div><p>In the collegiate women&#x27;s division, titleholder NU and Ateneo battle for the right to face undefeated UST in a best-of-three Finals at 10:30 a.m.</p><p>The Blue Eagles, who last reached the championship round in UAAP Season 78 (2015), remain optimistic about finally toppling the Lady Bulldogs, who are gunning for their 10th consecutive Finals appearance.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/11/30/uaap-ateneo-women-eliminate-adamson-set-up-semis-clash-vs-national-u-1355">READ: Ateneo Women eliminate Adamson, set up semis clash vs. National U</a></div><p>&quot;I fancy [our chance against NU] very well. I really think that we have a good chance. The second game that we played against them, Sarah [Makanjoula] was not with us because she was suspended. [In the first round,] we almost beat them but we just collapsed because they have more experience,&quot; said Ateneo head coach LA Mumar.</p><p>A victory would not only give reigning two-time MVP Kacey dela Rosa her first Finals appearance but also prevent a potential Lady Bulldogs–Lady Tigresses trilogy.</p><p>In Junior High School Boys&#x27; action, UST and FEU-Diliman go all out to face unbeaten NU–Nazareth School in the best-of-three championship at 8:30 a.m.</p>

<p>Top-ranked National University and the University of the Philippines are anticipating tough battles despite holding a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4 of the #UAAPSeason88 men's basketball tournament.</p>

Top-ranked National University and the University of the Philippines are anticipating tough battles despite holding a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4 of the #UAAPSeason88 men's basketball tournament.

UAAP: UP, National U look to set up clash for men's basketball crown

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UAAP: UP, National U look to set up clash for men's basketball crown

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Published Dec 02, 2025 08:30 PM PHT

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