UAAP: UP survives La Salle, sets up winner-take-all Finals clash

The University of the Philippines kept its title hopes alive after edging De La Salle University, 66–63, on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, forcing a decisive Game 3 in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball finals.

Gerry Abadiano anchored the Fighting Maroons in crunch time, delivering six of UP’s final seven points in the fourth quarter. Francis Nnoruka then iced the contest with a split from the free-throw line after being fouled by Luis Pablo in the closing seconds.

The matchup unfolded as a tactical battle throughout. La Salle struck first with a 22–13 cushion, only for UP to claw back and seize a slim 35–33 halftime lead. The second half saw neither side give ground, with the Green Archers moving ahead, 58–55, on a Jacob Cortez free throw stemming from a technical foul. UP countered immediately with a 4–0 spurt to regain control, 59–58.

Abadiano ignited the Maroons’ finishing kick with four straight points before Vhoris Marasigan pulled La Salle within one, 63–62. Abadiano answered once more with a clutch basket, but Cortez responded to keep the Archers within striking distance, much to the delight of the 22,412 fans in attendance.

La Salle had a chance to turn the tide when Marasigan launched a potential go-ahead three, but the shot rattled out. Moments later, Pablo committed a foul on Nnoruka, who calmly converted enough free throws to secure the win.

“We just lived to fight another day,” UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon said. “In a best-of-three, when you drop Game 1, the urgency has to be there. I thought we showed that tonight.”

Abadiano finished with 17 points, two rebounds, and a steal, while Nnoruka and Remogat chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively. Cortez paced La Salle with 16 points, and Pablo added 12.

The Season 88 finals now head to a do-or-die Game 3—the third time UP and La Salle have gone the distance in the championship round. The Green Archers prevailed in Season 86, while the Fighting Maroons emerged champions in Season 87.