Catch the full recap of Day 3 of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines Qualifiers, presented by Gatorade. See game highlights, final scores, and what’s next for the top teams.
The NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines Qualifiers, proudly presented by Gatorade, held its third day of action-packed pool games on Friday, May 9, at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City. This national basketball showcase brings together elite high school teams from across the Philippines, with four boys' squads and three girls' teams identified in partnership with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. Each team is vying for the chance to represent the country in the upcoming NBA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore.
On Day 3, three powerhouse teams dominated their matchups to close the group stages on a high note. The National University Nazareth School (NUNS) Lady Bullpups, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Cubs, and NUNS Bullpups secured key victories over the La Salle College Antipolo (LSCA) Voyagers, Ateneo de Davao (ADD) Blue Knights, and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-ADC) Magis Eagles, respectively.
The final stage of the Philippines Qualifiers is set for Saturday, May 10, at the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The girls’ division finals will see a rematch between the Lady Bullpups and the LSCA Voyagers at 1:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the boys’ division will feature an anticipated clash at 5:00 p.m. between the NUNS Bullpups and the UST Tiger Cubs—a rematch of their recent high school league finals.
The pool games held from May 7 to 9 determined the top two teams from each division that will now compete in the finals. The victorious teams in the boys’ and girls’ divisions will earn the honor of representing the Philippines at the inaugural NBA Rising Stars Invitational. This international youth basketball event, featuring teams from 11 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific region, will take place in Singapore from June 25 to 29. The tournament forms part of a multi-day celebration of basketball and culture.
Gatorade, the tournament's official hydration partner, continues to power athletes and coaches throughout the competition. Energen Champion and vivo also support the event as official partners. Fans across the country can catch the action live as Cignal, the official broadcaster, airs the finals on One Sports, NBA TV Philippines, and Pilipinas Live.
In the girls' division, the NUNS Lady Bullpups overwhelmed the LSCA Voyagers with a commanding 98-36 victory. Thanks to second-chance opportunities and fast-paced transition plays, the Lady Bullpups jumped to an early 26-8 lead. Behind coach Camille Escoto’s leadership, they expanded the gap with relentless defense, dominating the rebounds and steals. NUNS wrapped up pool play with a perfect 2-0 record, setting up another showdown against LSCA (1-1) for the division title.
Standings as of May 9
Lady Bullpups point guard Aubrey Lapasaran emphasized their team-first mentality, stating, “Our mindset stays the same—we play our best and follow what our coach says because her guidance helps us understand the flow of the game.” Coach Escoto added, “Our focus is to win tomorrow. After that, we’ll talk about Singapore if we win.” Despite the loss, LSCA forward Clara Ibardaloza expressed her team's fighting spirit, saying, “We expected them to be strong, but we fought until the final buzzer.”
In a tightly contested boys’ division match, the UST Tiger Cubs edged the ADD Blue Knights 91-88. Despite a strong start by UST’s Joaquin Ludovice, who sank four triples early, ADD managed a 28-17 first-quarter lead. The teams exchanged baskets throughout the game, with UST’s John Canapi scoring six crucial points in the final minutes to seal the win. The Tiger Cubs finished group play with a 2-1 record, while the Blue Knights went winless at 0-3. UST will now face NUNS in the boys’ finals.
Tiger Cubs coach Noli Mejos acknowledged the intensity of the game, saying, “Their team is mature and experienced, while ours is younger. I knew it would be physical.” Canapi, coming off the bench, credited his readiness and the trust of his coach, sharing, “Coach told me to keep shooting and the results will follow.”
In the last boys' pool game, the NUNS Bullpups delivered a dominant 82-56 performance against the SHS-ADC Magis Eagles. Led by Andre Mann’s 26 points and Moussa Diakite’s strong rebounding presence, NUNS maintained control from the opening quarter. The Bullpups closed pool play with a flawless 3-0 record, while SHS-ADC finished 1-2. This victory sets the stage for another highly-anticipated finals rematch against UST.
Bullpups head coach Kevin de Castro emphasized the magnitude of the opportunity ahead. “It’s a huge boost for us, especially for the players. I told them this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. When you move to college, chances like these become rare, so we need to take it.”
As the NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines Qualifiers gear up for the finals, anticipation builds for which teams will secure a coveted spot on the international stage in Singapore. With talent, passion, and national pride on full display, Saturday’s games promise to be unforgettable.
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