LA SALLE TAKES FIGHT OUT OF UP TO MOVE A WIN AWAY FROM REGAINING CROWN

WHO else for La Salle to answer the call other than Jacob Cortez, right?

Once again, the second-generation guard rang in the victory for the Taft side, burying the gutsy stepback three with 27.4 seconds to go to carry his crew to a 74-70 Game One win over new-age rival University of the Philippines on Wednesday at SM Mall of Asia Arena to move a win away from the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball title.

Everyone knew Cortez would deliver - and boy, did he, knocking down the cold-blooded trey over the outstretched arm of Reyland Torres that made it a two-possession game, as it turned out to be the biggest of his 21-point performance that brought the fourth-seeded Green Archers on the cusp of reclaiming the crown.

He added four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in an absolute masterpiece of a game, as he also closes in accomplishing the rare feat of winning crowns in UAAP and NCAA.

But drawing first blood in this trilogy wouldn't have been possible if not for Doy Dungo keeping La Salle afloat, uncorking 12 of his 15 points in the first half, as well as corralling two boards and two steals.

Luis Pablo's defensive intensity also factored in this game, getting two big swats and forcing that late Fighting Maroons turnover on Francis Nnoruka's inbound pass to Gerry Abadiano which was worth more than his seven points and six rebounds.

Kean Baclaan chimed in nine points, six assists, and two boards, Mike Phillips nabbed seven points, nine rebounds, and two assists, and Vhoris Marasigan had seven in the triumph.

La Salle stands strong

What made the win more impressive for the Green Archers was how they rallied, fighting back from a 58-49 third quarter deficit and holding State U scoreless for four of the last five minutes, only to set up Cortez for the dagger with 46 seconds remaining.

"We didn't stop when they were making those big runs. Total team effort, the guys really stepped up," said Topex Robinson. "It was really a fierce battle between two competitors and we're just glad, fortunate, and blessed that we're able to survive the onslaught of Harold Alarcon."

Now, the green-and-white can complete its redemption tour on Sunday still at the same venue.

Like what Robinson noted, Alarcon was magnificent, as he staged a 34-point night for UP where he shot 12-of-22 from the field together with a pair of rebounds and assists, yet had to deal with the short end of the stick in this loss.

Nnoruka registered 13 points and six boards, while Abadiano had a forgettable foul-plagued showing with just eight points and three rebounds for the defending champions.

The Scores:

LA SALLE 74 – Cortez 21, Dungo 15, Baclaan 9, Phillips 7, Pablo 7, Marasigan 7, Macalalag 6, Abadam 2, Gollena 0, Amos 0, Nwankwo 0.

UP 70 – Alarcon 34, Nnoruka 13, Abadiano 8, Torres 7, Fortea 5, Remogat 3, Belmonte 0, Stevens 0, Bayla 0, Yñiguez 0, Felicilda 0, Alter 0.

Quarters: 25-24, 33-36, 53-58, 74-70.

2025-12-10T12:15:09Z