MANILA – De La Salle University Green Archers reclaimed the UAAP men’s basketball championship after edging University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 80–72, in a winner-take-all Game 3 of the Season 88 Finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Playing before a crowd of 24,339, the Green Archers and the Fighting Maroons figured in a tightly contested contest that featured 16 lead changes, underscoring the intensity of the title decider.
Vhoris Marasigan delivered in the closing minutes for La Salle, scoring five straight points in the final two minutes to break a 66-all deadlock and give the Archers a 71–67 cushion. Marasigan, who missed a potential game-winning three-pointer in Game 2, finished with 10 points.
Michael Phillips anchored La Salle’s championship run with a dominant performance inside, recording 25 points and 18 rebounds to be named Finals MVP in his last game with the Green Archers.
UP stayed within striking distance behind Rey Remogat, who led the Fighting Maroons with 21 points, while Francis Nnoruka registered a double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds in the losing effort.
The title capped a challenging season for La Salle, which dealt with injuries to key players Kean Baclaan and Mason Amos, who both sustained MCL injuries before making their way ba in the playoffs round.
The Green Archers placed fourth at the end of the elimination round before eliminating Ateneo and overcoming top seed National University despite a twice-to-beat disadvantage.
La Salle’s championship campaign also saw Jacob Cortez emerge as a reliable option in key situations, helping steer the Green Archers back to the top of the UAAP men’s basketball standings./PN
BOX SCORE:
DLSU (80) – Phillips 25, Amos 11, Marasigan 10, Cortez 9, Abadam 9, Baclaan 8, Macalalag 4, Pablo 4, Gollena 0.
UP (72) – Remogat 21, Nnoruka 16, Torres 11, Abadiano 7, Alarcon 6, Stevens 6, Bayla 3, Alter 2, Fortea 0, Belmonte 0, Yñiguez 0, Palanca 0.
Quarterscores: 19-16, 40-41, 58-59, 80-72.
