De La Salle University’s Game 1 victory in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Finals will be remembered as the match where Jacob Cortez showcased his clutch gene once again.
Others will recall how Luis Pablo took over both offensively and defensively late in the game, lifting the Green Archers to a 74-70 triumph over the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with 18,210 fans in attendance.
But none of that would have been possible if La Salle had faltered during Harold Alarcon’s first-half scoring spree, which saw him rack up 20 points.
Keeping the Green Archers afloat amid Alarcon’s hot streak was sophomore guard Doy Dungo, who countered with 12 points of his own in the first half, limiting UP to just a 36-33 lead at the break.
“Nag-stay ready lang ako kasi nung last game namin, wala ako sa rotation. So parang sabi lang ng coaches sa akin na stay ready lang,” shared Dungo after the win.
“Wala naman akong iniisip na mga magtotopak pa ganon. Hindi, kumbaga sa akin ginawa kong fuel ‘yun para maganda ‘yung ipakita ko ngayong Finals. Nagbunga naman.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The 6-foot-3 guard from San Simon, Pampanga, finished with 15 points, two rebounds, and two steals, helping the Green Archers move one win away from reclaiming the championship on Sunday at the same Pasay venue.
The sharpshooter out of UST High School had been out of Topex Robinson’s rotation during La Salle’s Final Four upset of top-ranked National University.
But he stayed sharp, he stayed ready — and when the moment came, he embraced it.
“Sabi nga ni coach Topex, every moment will define you. Lahat naman ng athletes ganon pinapangarap ito. Sabi nga ni Jacob, pangarap niyang maglaro sa La Salle,” said Dungo, a 21-year-old product of San Beda-Rizal.
“Sa akin din, tumatak din sa isip ko na pag pinasok nila ako, magiging ready lang din talaga ako kung ano ‘yung kaya kong ibigay sa team, ibibigay ko.”
