UST and NU Book Spots in NSAC 2026 Final

UAAP University of Santo Tomas and National University secured their places in the NSAC 2026 College Basketball Campus Tour Final after semifinal victories on Saturday at Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

UST outlasted defending UAAP champion De La Salle University, 115-107, in overtime to punch their ticket to the championship game.

The fourth quarter turned heated, with multiple ejections at the 8:29 mark shifting momentum. La Salle’s Vhoris Marasigan and UST’s Ivanne Calum, Mark Llemit, and Koji Buenaflor were all disqualified, creating a tense finish. Mason Amos and Jacob Cortez helped La Salle tie the game at 93-all, forcing overtime.

In extra time, UST pulled ahead behind triples from Amiel Acido and Mur Alao, opening a six-point cushion. La Salle repeatedly narrowed the gap to three points, but the Growling Tigers countered each rally. Gelo Crisostomo hit a dagger three-pointer with 1:11 remaining to give UST a commanding 110-99 lead, and Acido closed out the scoring for the 115-107 win.

Acido led the charge with 33 points and six rebounds, while Akowe added 24 points and nine boards. Crisostomo narrowly missed a triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. La Salle was paced by Amos with 23 points and Cortez with 20 points and 12 assists.

Meanwhile, NU staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to stun reigning NCAA champion San Beda University, 83-80, and advance to the final set for Sunday, May 31, at 4:30 p.m. at the same venue.

The Bulldogs erased a 13-point deficit with back-to-back triples from Paul Francisco and a crucial late three from Paolo Palacielo. NU outscored San Beda 27-19 in the final frame, turning a 61-56 deficit into victory. Daniel Marcelo tried to rally the Red Lions with 11 fourth-quarter points, but NU held on.

Palacielo led the Bulldogs with 22 points and six rebounds, Francisco added 13 points, and Reinhard Jumamoy contributed 11 points and four boards. Marcelo tallied 20 points and eight rebounds for San Beda.

The third-place game between San Beda and La Salle is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the same venue.