UAAP: La Salle rediscovers form in crucial comeback victory over UP

De La Salle University regained its footing in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball with a pivotal 87-82 win over University of the Philippines on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Green Archers came back from 16 points down to turn back the Fighting Maroons and snap their three-game losing streak, improving to 7-6 to bolster their Final Four aspirations. 

La Salle now solidifies its hold on the fourth spot as Adamson and FEU are currently tied at fifth with 6-7 cards. 

Mike Phillips came up big on both ends after detonating for 21 points and 14 rebounds as La Salle atoned for three straight losses to National University, Far Eastern University, and Adamson University.

But it was a crucial fourth-quarter surge, mounted by the rest of the squad, that made all the difference for the Taft crew.

Jacob Cortez came alive in the final frame, erasing a 74-71 deficit and turning it to an 80-74 advantage after hitting five points to power a 9-0 run alongside Vhoris Marasigan and Earl Abadam. 

Marasigan then completed two free throws for an 82-76 cushion with 1:27 left. 

Gerry Abadiano then made up for a traveling violation called against him, sinking a layup that cut UP's deficit to four, 78-82. 

The Fighting Maroons ran into trouble when big man Francis Nnoruka was called for a technical foul, leading to his ejection after a flagrant foul early in the first period.

Cortez then calmly sank the free throw before Abadam hit a tough jumper over Rey Remogat for an 85-78 cushion. Abadiano would convert a quick triple, but La Salle hung tough as Abadam sealed the crucial win with two freebies. 

Marasigan finished with 17 points while Abadam and Cortez each tallied 14 markers. Mason Amos, who returned after missing weeks of action due to an MCL tear on his right knee, finished with three points, three rebounds, and three assists. 

Playoff-bound UP turned to Remogat, who nearly had a triple-double showing with 25 points, eight assists, and six rebounds while Nnoruka had 14 markers, seven boards, and two dimes before his exit.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News