La Salle forces do-or-die as UP books finals return in dramatic UAAP Final Four doubleheader

The UAAP Season 88 Final Four delivered a doubleheader of contrasting emotions on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum—one game rewriting a season-long narrative, and the other preserving a dynasty’s march toward history.

La Salle breaks NU curse, forces sudden death

After three straight losses to National University this season, La Salle finally solved the puzzle when it mattered most. The Green Archers refused to bow out quietly, toppling the No.1 seed Bulldogs, 87–77, to extend the series to a decisive do-or-die.

But survival did not come smoothly.

La Salle controlled long stretches of the game, yet NU kept clawing back—erasing a 17-point deficit and repeatedly threatening to flip the script. Each time momentum seemed to swing, the Archers found just enough poise to push back.

It was a familiar story for La Salle this season: big leads slipping, pressure mounting, and still, somehow, answers emerging at the right moments.

The Archers dominated the rebounding battle, 45–32, a major factor that stopped NU from turning the tide. And while the Bulldogs had their moments, their 15 turnovers—12 painfully coming in the second half—proved costly.

Cortez once again delivered with 13 points, while Mike Phillips anchored La Salle with a monster 12-point, 17-rebound double-double. Kean Baclaan’s return also added a spark, chipping in six points, two assists, and a board.

On the other side, Figueroa’s brilliant 20-10-4 outing was overshadowed by eight turnovers. Omar John added 12 and 5, but NU never found the composure it wielded all season.

The loss sets up a Saturday showdown that now becomes NU’s most important game of the year.

The DLSU Green Archers extends the series and forces a #UAAPSeason88 Men’s Final Four Do-or-Die game as they prevailed against the top seeded NU Bulldogs, 87-77, today, Dec. 3, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The decisive clash that will determine which team advances to the… pic.twitter.com/Trqc6znXbw

— The UAAP (@uaap_official) December 3, 2025

The UP Fighting Maroons marks their fifth-straight Finals appearance since Season 84, after overcoming this season’s host UST Growling Tigers in the #UAAPSeason88 Men’s Basketball Final Four, 82-81, today, Dec. 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Now the Fighting Maroons await the… pic.twitter.com/SgF6xlDcaE

— The UAAP (@uaap_official) December 3, 2025

UP survives UST scare, enters fifth straight Finals

If La Salle’s win was gritty, UP’s path to the Finals was a tightrope walk.

The Fighting Maroons, armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, barely escaped University of Santo Tomas, 82–81, to clinch their fifth consecutive UAAP Finals appearance. But the defending champions had to endure a late-game thriller to get there.

The pivotal moment came from Terrence Fortea—who, despite scoring modestly, stepped up exactly when UP needed him.

He finished with just eight points, six assists, and five rebounds, making only three of five field goals. But one was iconic: a transition three-pointer that broke an 81–79 deficit and put UP ahead for good, 82–81, with 48.5 seconds left.

Harold Alarcon kept UP afloat early with 22 points, while Francis Nnoruka’s near double-double (19 points, nine boards) provided stability in the trenches.

UST’s Nic Cabañero—ending his UAAP career—left everything on the floor with 24 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Collins Akowe added an 11-11 double-double, embodying the Tigers’ fighting spirit until the final horn.

With UST eliminated, UP now waits for the winner of Saturday’s NU–La Salle knockout to determine its Finals opponent.

And after the drama displayed on Wednesday, the next chapter promises fireworks.

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