UAAP: La Salle 'Redeem Team' subdues UP, brings UAAP trophy back to Taft

The De La Salle Green Archers are back. The boys in green and white defeated the defending champions UP Fighting Maroons to win the UAAP Season 88 Men's Basketball Championship, 80-72.

The fourth-seeded Archers, who reached the championships by beating the National University Bulldogs who had a twice-to-beat advantage, took game three in front of more than 24,000 fans in the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, December 17.

The last three championships has become a UP-La Salle affair where the Archers has won two championships , missing out in 2024 when the Maroons emerged victorious in three games . The Green Archers now have 11 men's basketball championships since joining the UAAP in 1986.

There could not have been a better time for team captain Mike Phillips to redeem himself and the Green Archers from last year's heartbreaking loss to the UP Maroons. Playing his final game for the green and white, Phillips led his team with 25 points and 18 rebounds, making him the Finals MVP.

Phillips also filled the void left by star guard Jacob Cortez who struggled with only nine points on 3-of-11 shooting.

La Salle led 32–23 into the second quarter until UP caught up leading with 41–40 at the half. La Salle never looked back after making an 8-0 run before the 1:26 mark in the fourth quarter.

UP Maroon Noy Remogat had a team best 21 points, while Francis Nnoruka scored 16 and Reyland Torres with 11.

DLSU – Phillips 25, Amos 11, Marasigan 10, Cortez 9, Abadam 9, Baclaan 8, Macalalag 4, Pablo 4, Gollena 0

UP – Remogat 21, Nnoruka 16, Torres 11, Abadiano 7, Alarcon 6, Stevens 6, Bayla 3, Alter 2, Belmonte 0, Fortea 0, Palanca 0, Yñiguez 0

Riz Pulumbarit/Paraluman News