MANILA – De La Salle University Green Archers erased a double-digit deficit to stun the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 87-82, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After trailing by as many as 16 points in the first quarter, the Green Archers slowly clawed their way back and seized a 76-74 lead behind back-to-back baskets from Jacob Cortez.
La Salle extended the advantage to 85-78 through conversions from Vhoris Marasigan and Earl Abadam. UP trimmed the gap to 81-85 on a three-pointer by Gerry Abadiano, but Marasigan’s free throws sealed the win for the Archers.
Michael Phillips powered La Salle with a double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds, helping the team snap a three-game skid and improve to 7-6. Marasigan added 17 points—15 of them in the second half—while Cortez and Abadam chipped in 14 points apiece.
Rey Remogat delivered a season-high 25 points for UP, which also drew 14 markers from Francis Nnoruka and 12 each from Abadiano and Isagani Stevens. The Fighting Maroons slipped to 10-4.
Earlier, Far Eastern University Tamaraws kept its Final Four hopes alive after defeating the winless University of the East Red Warriors, 82-77.
The Tamaraws broke the game open in the second quarter where they built a 16-point cushion—enough separation to maintain control down the stretch.
Jorick Bautista led FEU with 17 points and six rebounds, while Mo Konateh tallied 15 points and eight boards as the Tamaraws rose to 6-7.
Precious Momowei paced UE with 19 points and 14 rebounds, and Wello Lingolingo added 14. The Red Warriors ended the season winless at 0-14./PN
BOX SCORE:
DLSU 87 – Phillips 21, Marasigan 17, Cortez 14, Abadam 14, Dungo 8, Macalalag 6, Quines 4, Amos 3, Gollena 0, Nwankwo 0, Pablo 0, Melencio 0, Gomez 0.
UP 82 – Remogat 25, Nnoruka 14, Stevens 12, Abadiano 12, Alarcon 8, Palanca 7, Fortea 2, Belmonte 2, Bayla 0, Torres 0, Alter 0, Yniguez 0.
Quarterscores: 15-26, 41-44, 59-58, 87-82.
