La Salle back in WUBS finals to face Korea University, UP ends campaign without a win

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers are once again bound for the championship round of the World University Basketball Series (WUBS), determined to defend the crown they claimed in last year’s edition of the tournament.

The Taft-based squad punched their ticket to the finals after dispatching the Japan University-Select Team with an emphatic 88–75 victory at the Yoyogi National Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Forward Mike Phillips anchored La Salle’s balanced attack, posting a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds.

 Kean Baclaan spearheaded the scoring effort with 18 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting clip, while Andrei Dungo and Earl Abadam contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively.

Japan University put up a spirited fight before eventually yielding to the reigning champions. Ishikawa Kouki paced the home side with 14 points, while Sato Yu and Ogawa Eijirou chipped in 11 points apiece.

The victory sets up a highly anticipated finals rematch between DLSU and Korea University—the same team the Green Archers defeated in last year’s championship game. At press time, the Korean squad had already secured their place in the title match.

STRAIGHT SHOT TO THE FINALS 🏹

The DLSU Green Archers are now one win away from defending their crown after a dominant 88-75 victory against the Japan University Select Team in the World University Basketball Series 2025 semifinals.#WorldUniversityBasketballSeries #WUBS pic.twitter.com/oQLhQNE8S4

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) August 10, 2025

Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons closed their WUBS stint without a win, falling 96–77 to the University of Sydney in their final outing. 

UP kept the contest close in the first half, trailing just 48–42 at the break, but the Australians broke the game open in the third quarter and never looked back.

Terrence Fortea led the Fighting Maroons with 18 points, supported by Chicco Briones with 11 and Francis Nnoruka with 10. Gani Stevens added eight points and eight rebounds in the losing effort. 

Sydney’s Iggy Mitchell turned in a stellar all-around performance, leading all scorers with 25 points alongside seven boards and four assists.

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