DLSU Outlasts Ateneo in Instant Classic

The highlight of the night was the long-anticipated battle between De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers and the Ateneo Blue Eagles, played at Moro Lorenzo Sports Center—a first in the modern era of this storied rivalry.

DLSU secured a 95-92 comeback victory behind a monster performance from Mike Phillips, who dominated with 33 points and 26 rebounds while shooting an efficient 77.8% from the field. With Ateneo leading 88-76 late in the fourth, Kean Baclaan stepped up in the clutch, delivering a go-ahead mid-range jumper with 1:12 left, followed by two ice-cold free throws to seal the win.

Ateneo’s Ian Espinosa (17 points, 66.7% 3PT) and Kyle Daven Gamber (15 points, 5/8 3PT) nearly forced overtime, but their last-second three-pointers bounced out, allowing DLSU to escape with the hard-fought victory.

San Beda Overcomes EAC’s Tough Stand

Earlier in the day, the San Beda Red Lions fought back from a fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals, 68-60. Down 44-37 in the final period, San Beda unleashed a 10-0 scoring run, fueled by Jimmy Reyes (14 points, 6 rebounds) and Zed Etulle (10 points, 8 rebounds).

EAC’s Wilmar Oftana (12 points, 8 rebounds) provided resistance, but the Generals struggled with turnovers, committing 21 mistakes that led to 19 easy points for San Beda. The Red Lions capitalized on their opponent’s errors, proving their resilience and composure down the stretch.

CSB Edges Mapua in Finals Rematch

The CSB Blazers avenged their previous championship heartbreak against Mapua, pulling off a narrow 66-64 victory in a gritty, defense-heavy battle. Justine Sanchez (17 points, 6 rebounds) led CSB’s offense, while Shawn Umali (10 points, 5 rebounds) sealed the game at the free-throw line.

Mapua’s EJ Sapasap (19 points, 7 rebounds) carried his team, but CSB’s defense stepped up in the closing minutes, forcing three consecutive turnovers and finishing on a 6-0 run to complete the comeback.

NU Bulldogs Dominate FEU in Wire-to-Wire Win

The NU Bulldogs opened the tournament with a convincing 86-69 victory over the FEU Tamaraws, showcasing their depth and defensive intensity. NU’s bench contributed 47 points, led by Omar John (14 points, 5 rebounds, 60% FG) and Gelo Santiago (8 points, 4/4 FT).

FEU’s Montell Shelton (17 points, 6 rebounds) and Adam Nakai (12 points, 3 rebounds) fought to keep the game competitive, but NU’s suffocating defense forced 15 turnovers, converting them into 30 points to take full control of the match.

Tournament Takeaways

The Asiabasket 2025 College Campus Tour wasted no time in delivering high-stakes basketball action, with DLSU and Ateneo’s rivalry clash making history on Ateneo’s home court.

• Mike Phillips (DLSU) and Omar John (NU) set efficiency benchmarks, dominating their respective matchups.

• San Beda and CSB showcased defensive toughness, using key stops to secure comeback victories.

• Turnovers played a major role in every game, with aggressive defensive pressure proving to be the difference in several matchups.

With Rivalry Sunday in the books, the tournament promises more exciting battles as teams look to build momentum in the coming weeks.