Jacob Cortez lifts La Salle past Ateneo in do-or-die thriller, completes UAAP Final Four cast with NU, UP, and UST 

The UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final Four is now officially set—and it took one of the season’s coldest late-game performances to lock in the fourth and final ticket.

La Salle claimed the last semifinal berth after outlasting archrival Ateneo, 78–72, on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, thanks largely to a blistering fourth-quarter takeover by Jacob Cortez.

With the Archers’ season hanging in the balance, Cortez delivered 12 of his game-high 20 points in the final frame, including a dagger jumper in the closing seconds that sealed Ateneo’s fate. “We had some issues in the first half but in the second half we really stuck together and that got us this win,” he said after the emotional victory.

Cortez’s efficiency set the tone—he shot a scorching 9-of-12 from the field while adding three rebounds and seven assists, leading La Salle straight into a semifinal showdown with top-seeded National University.

While Cortez provided the knockout punches, Mike Phillips delivered the blow that flipped the lead for good. His putback with 43 seconds left put La Salle ahead 74–72, setting up the finishing sequence.

Phillips posted 13 points, a monster 16 rebounds, and two steals—another do-it-all performance that steadied La Salle at critical stretches.

Vhoris Marasigan also gave the Archers valuable scoring with 12 points and three assists before his late ejection.

The loss ended Ateneo’s campaign after what had been a promising 4–0 start to the tournament. Dom Escobar led the Blue Eagles with 14 points, while Kymani Ladi added 13. Divine Adili battled in the paint with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

But Ateneo could not stop Cortez’s fourth-quarter eruption nor match La Salle’s poise in winning time—resulting in their second consecutive season missing the semifinals.

FOUR THE CROWN 🏀👑

The Final Four is here, and the stakes couldn’t be higher in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

Will the reigning champions defend their throne, or will a fresh force rise to rewrite the story?#UAAPSeason88 #StrengthInMotionHopeInAction pic.twitter.com/bGGsPWVp8x

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) November 26, 2025

With the Archers securing the No. 4 spot, the UAAP Season 88 Final Four is now complete and set for high-stakes clashes. 

Top-seeded National University Bulldogs enter as the most consistent team of the season, boasting the league’s best defensive record and a deep guard rotation that has frustrated opponents all year led by Mythical Five lock Jake Figeroua.  

The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, seeded second, remain a championship favorite thanks to a star-studded roster led by Harold Alarcon and Rey Remogat capable of lighting up the scoreboard.

 Third-seeded University of Santo Tomas have been the season’s surprise package, finishing strong in the eliminations through team chemistry and clutch performances from their young core with Gelo Crisostomo becoming the Tiger’s best revelations this season.

Finally, the De La Salle Green Archers, the fourth and final qualifiers, are surging at the right time behind improved late-season poise and the emergence of rising star Jacob Cortez, who carried them past Ateneo in a dramatic do-or-die victory.

 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!