Archers overcome Bulldogs, forge UAAP finals trilogy vs Maroons

MANILA, Philippines — It took them the hard route, but the La Salle Green Archers came out of the trenches and punched the last ticket to the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball finals.

La Salle overcame a twice-to-win disadvantage and stunned the top-seeded National University Bulldogs, 78-73, in Game 2 of their Final Four matchup Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Green Archers will now face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons for the championship for the third straight season.

In the middle of it all was UAAP debutant Jacob Cortez, who finished with a career-high 29 points, including nine in the final frame, to go with four rebounds and four assists. Earl Abadam chipped in 14 markers and three boards.

La Salle thus became the first fourth-seeded squad to make the finals since University of Santo Tomas back in UAAP Season 82.

The game was tied at 66-all with 3:44 remaining after a putback by Mike Phillips.

Jake Figueroa then put the Bulldogs on his back, putting up shots that gave his team a slim two-point lead, 71-69, with 2:08 remaining.

Cortez then heated up, sinking a triple with 1:42 left to tow the Green Archers ahead for good, 72-71.

After a split from the line by PJ Palacielo tied things up at 72, Cortez hit a massive pull-up jumper to give the Taft-based squad a 74-72 advantage.

On the other end, Figueroa missed a layup.

The Bulldogs, however, forced a 24-second shot clock violation in the next possesion, putting them at a position to tie or grab the lead.

But Reinhard Jumamoy lost the ball on his drive, giving La Salle the possession with 10.1 seconds to go.

Cortez was sent to the line, making the first and missing the second. NU’s Gelo Santiago secured the rebound, but he dribbled it off the foot of teammate Omar John. Santiago forced the jumpball, but the possession arrow pointed to the Green Archers’ side.

Dagger free throws by Kean Baclaan and Mason Amos iced the game and sealed the Green Archers' finals appearance.

Vhoris Marasigan chipped in 10 points, while Phillips and JC Macalalag had eight apiece.

Figueroa powered NU with 21 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in his final collegiate game. Jolo Manansala and Palacielo added 13 points each.

Game 1 of the UAAP Finals will be on Wednesday.