MANILA – University of the Philippines survived a fierce challenge from a resurgent University of Santo Tomas and clinched its fifth consecutive UAAP Finals appearance after pulling off an 82-81 escape in their Season 88 Final Four showdown on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the Fighting Maroons staring at a late deficit, Terrence Fortea delivered the defining blow — a cold-blooded go-ahead three-pointer with 45 seconds left — before steering the defense that shut down the Growling Tigers’ final two offensive attempts.
Fortea finished with eight points, including two triples, on top of six assists and five rebounds as UP secured its place in yet another championship duel.
Negrense scorer Harold Alarcon powered the Fighting Maroons with 22 points, sinking 10 of his 12 free throws, while Francis Nnoruka came up big with 19 points and nine rebounds.
On the other end, UST leaned on the explosive 24-point effort of Nicael Cabañero, while Angelo Crisostomo added 15. Collins Akowe and Kyle Paranada contributed 11 and 10, respectively.
The loss also marked the final UAAP game for Cabañero, Paranada, Rence “Forthsky” Padrigao, and Leland Estacio as the Growling Tigers exited the season one step short of the Finals.
Earlier, De La Salle University kept its title hopes alive after beating top-seeded National University, 87-77, behind Jacob Cortez’s 13 points. Michael Phillips added 12, while EJ Gollena and Vhoris Marasigan chipped in 11 and 10.
Jake Figueroa led the Bulldogs with 20 points, and Omar John tallied 12 and nine rebounds.
La Salle and NU meet again in a do-or-die duel on Saturday at the Big Dome./PN
