Archers, Bulldogs fight for last UAAP finals ticket

La Salle’s Mike Phillips (25) soars in for a dunk over the NU Bulldogs during their UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final Four Wednesday at the Big Dome.

(UAAP Media Bureau)

Games Saturday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

9:30 a.m. – NUNS vs FEU-D (16U)

11:30 a.m. – UST vs NU (women)

3:30 p.m. – DLSU vs NU (men)

MANILA, Philippines — A third straight final for La Salle, a first for National University in over a decade.

Only one dream will be realized at the final buzzer Saturday as the Green Archers and the Bulldogs square in a win-or-go-home setto to dispute the last finals ticket in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The no-tomorrow duel is set at 3:30 p.m., with the survivor marching on to the best-of-three titular showdown for a shot at the mighty titleholder University of the Philippines in its fifth straight finals appearance.

Prior to the much-awaited war, reigning champion National University and unbeaten University of Santo Tomas collide at 11:30 a.m. in Game 1 of the women’s finals following the opening clash of NU-Nazareth School and Far Eastern U-Diliman at 9:30 a.m. for the U16 crown vacated by dethroned titlist University of the East.

But all eyes are on the encounter between the dribblers from Taft and Jhocson to complete the final cast in the men’s hoops war as well.

UP, the second seed, maximized its twice-to-beat advantage with a pulsating 82-81 escape act from No. 3 Santo Tomas for the first seat but the top-ranked NU failed to do so by bowing to the third-seeded Green Archers in Game 1, 87-77.

Momentum is on La Salle to finish the job done now, especially with the completion of its army in the nick of time following the recovery of aces Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan from MCL injuries.

The duo provided an unparalleled boost to the morale of coach Topex Robinson’s charges, complementing the lead of Elite Team member Mike Phillips and Jacob Cortez in taking Game 1 after being swept by NU in the elims.

A loss Saturday, however, would push all of those efforts down the drain, knowing all too well that NU is out to prove its stature as the No. 1 seed for a reason.

“We just tried to prolong the series. We’re extremely blessed and grateful to have one more game but we’re up against the No. 1 team so we know it’s always going to be a battle,” warned Robinson, who has not missed the UAAP finals since inheriting the La Salle program in 2023.

Aside from its quartet of stars, the Green Archers also drew timely coverage from JC Macalalag, Earl Abadam, Vhoris Marasigan and Luis Pablo in Game 1 for a full showcase of its depth, proving an X-factor against the top-heavy Bulldogs.

And NU is aware of that edge by La Salle now, on top of an advantage in momentum and psychological warfare entering a sudden death battle.

"Given naman na ‘yon ‘eh na may psychological edge sila. Kailangan lang namin kung paano namin iha-handle yung ganitong situation at challenge. Still positive pa rin, may challenge ‘eh, given na ‘yan,” vowed the embattled mentor Jeff Napa as NU looks to book a finals return for the first time since 2014.

Skipper Jake Figueroa, also a member of the Elite Team, is tipped to come out swinging to spearhead NU’s doable bid with only a single win needed to advance. By his side are fellow seniors Steve Nash Enriquez and Jolo Manansala along with Gambian reinforcement Omar John hoping for their final hurrah to extend all the way to the finals.