University of the Philippines squandered a 14-point fourth-quarter lead but made the right plays in the clutch to outwit modern-day rival De La Salle University, 80-76, and snap a two-game skid in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Fighting Maroons rediscovered their winning form against the Green Archers in a rematch of the past three seasons’ Finals, returning to the win column after back-to-back defeats.
“Going towards this game, it’s more of a test of character for the team. Galing kami from two losses and nakapag-regroup ‘yung team. Facing La Salle after two losses, big challenge for us,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde after UP improved to 3-2, tying Adamson University for third place.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Veejay Pre’s layup at the 8:43 mark of the fourth quarter gave the Fighting Maroons a 67-53 advantage, but the Green Archers mounted a comeback to turn the game around. Jacob Cortez’s stepback three-pointer from the right corner gave La Salle its first lead of the game with 2:43 remaining, 73-72.
However, Dikachi Ududo split his free throws to tie the game before Pre’s fallaway jumper with 1:33 left restored UP’s lead, 75-73.
The Fighting Maroons then repeatedly drew fouls, making four of six free throws to extend their advantage to six with 21.5 seconds remaining, 79-73.
Luis Pablo cut the Green Archers’ deficit in half with an and-one putback, but Noy Remogat split his free throws on the other end to seal the victory.
The win marked UP’s first regular-season victory over La Salle since the first round of Season 86, when the Fighting Maroons prevailed, 67-64, on October 18, 2023. The Green Archers had been their Finals opponents in each of the past three seasons.
With their third loss in six games, the Green Archers fell to a tie with Ateneo de Manila University for fifth place at 3-3.
Remogat bounced back after struggling in UP’s previous losses, finishing with 20 points on seven-of-17 shooting. Pre also delivered 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Filipino-Canadian winger Elliot Dimaculangan made an impact in his delayed debut after recovering from a shin injury, contributing 11 points. Meanwhile, Ududo — who made his season debut in place of Francis Nnoruka — grabbed 10 rebounds and added five points.
UP will face Adamson next Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum before closing out the first round against winless University of the East.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Jcee Macalalag led La Salle with 17 points on seven-of-eight shooting from the field, but the Green Archers dropped to a 3-3 record.
Pablo added 14 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, while Doy Dungo contributed 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Cortez finished with 10 points and six assists but struggled with his shooting, converting just four of 13 attempts while committing six turnovers.
Joaquin Tovera got a surprisingly warm reception against UP in the first match-up since his decommitment last July. He saw 16 minutes of action but struggled, finishing with just three points.
La Salle will look to finish the first round with a winning record when it takes on Adamson on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Scores:
UP 80 — Remogat 20, Pre 18, Dimaculangan 11, Bayla 8, Ududo 5, Payosing 5, Poyos 5, Stevens 4, Yñiguez 3, Maga 0, Palanca 0, Briones 0.
DLSU 76 — Macalalag 17, Pablo 14, Dungo 12, Cortez 10, Amos 6, Abadam 5, Tovera 3, Sardon 3, Daep 3, Marasigan 2, Gagate 1, Agunanne 0.
Quarterscores: 24-17, 42-28, 63-53, 80-76.
