University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers and National University Bulldogs secured their places in the championship game of the NSAC 2026 College Basketball Campus Tour after posting semifinal victories on Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
UST survived a grueling battle against defending UAAP champion De La Salle University Green Archers, pulling out a 115-107 overtime victory in a contest marked by momentum swings.
The Growling Tigers appeared headed for a regulation win before the Green Archers rallied behind Mason Amos and Jacob Cortez, who helped force overtime after La Salle erased a late deficit.
Once the game moved into overtime, UST quickly seized control. The Tigers built separation through crucial baskets from Amiel Acido and Mur Alao before Angelo Crisostomo knocked down a key three-pointer that pushed their lead to 110-99.
“Ito ‘yung matagal na naming pinagtatrabahuhan ever since bumalik kami after ng season, talagang no days off talaga so really glad na nakuha namin ‘yung panalo and sana makuha namin ‘yung championship bukas,” said Acido.
“We just trusted each other talaga… even though na may mga times na hindi pumapabor sa amin. We just really have to trust each other, stay composed para mas makapag-isip kami nang maayos and were glad na naging maganda ‘yung kinalabasan,” he added.
“Siguro mas dodoblehin namin ‘yung effort namin kasi championship game na eh. Di porket natalo namin ‘yung NU nung eliminations is ganun pa rin ‘yung lalaruin nila, so we expect na mas intense pa na laro,” he added.
Acido powered UST with 33 points and six rebounds, while Alao contributed 24 points and nine boards. Crisostomo nearly registered a triple-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.
Amos paced La Salle with 23 points, while Cortez finished with 20 points and 12 assists.
In the other semifinal, National University erased a double-digit deficit in the second half to defeat reigning NCAA champion San Beda University Red Lions, 83-80.
The Bulldogs trailed by 13 points before mounting a decisive fourth-quarter surge. Paul Francisco sparked the comeback with consecutive three-pointers, while Paolo Palacio’s late triple helped NU overturn a 61-56 deficit entering the final period.
San Beda tried to stay within striking distance behind Daniel Marcelo, but NU held firm down the stretch to complete the comeback.
Palacio led the Bulldogs with 22 points and six rebounds. Francisco added 13 points, while Reinhard Jumamoy chipped in 11 markers and four rebounds.
The post UST, NU arrange NSAC 2026 college basketball championship showdown first appeared on Fastbreak.
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