UAAP: La Salle pounces on Ateneo, cops last Final Four seat

De La Salle University clutched up and defeated rivals Ateneo, 78-72, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to avoid a three-way stepladder playoff in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.

Shrugging off his struggles, Jacob Cortez played a pivotal role to steer the Green Archers to an 8-6 record and the coveted fourth and final seed. The star guard led the game with 20 points, including a clutch jumper down the stretch to keep the game out of Ateneo’s reach.

Big man Mike Phillips, meanwhile, posted a double-double of 13 points, 16 boards, and four assists. 

In spite of the high-pressure moments today matchup brought, Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson was in awe of the gravity of an Ateneo-La Salle rivalry game, admitting that he told his players to enjoy every moment.

“These are the times that I was dreaming when I was young, watching Ateneo-La Salle games. I always tell these guys that you’re part of this moment right now. So, make sure that you’re going to make lasting memories,” shared Robinson.

Heading into the last minute of the final canto, both schools found themselves at a deadlock, 72-72.

With a chance of an outright berth to the playoffs, Phillips and Cortez took matters into their own hands, with the big man crashing the glass and scoring a putback to then Cortez brushing off Ateneo's Waki Espina on an isolation for a midrange bucket.

Dubbed as the “Cool Cub”, Cortez echoed his mentor's approach to the game, saying that he relished the opportunity to get a win over their Katipunan counterparts.

“For that shot, I don’t know, I’ve been doing that since I was a kid, you know, counting down by myself in the gym. It’s the best way to do it in the Ateneo-La Salle game,” said Cortez.

On the other hand, it is the conclusion of what was a rollercoaster season for the Blue Eagles. The pair of one-and-dones Kymani Ladi and Dominic Escobar combined for 31 points.

Scores:

La Salle 78 – Cortez 20, Phillips 13, Marasigan 12, Pablo 9, Macalalag 8, Abadam 7, Melencio 5, Dungo 4, Quines 0, Amos 0.

Ateneo 72 – Escobar 18, Ladi 13, Adili 11, Bahay 11, Espina 10, Espinosa 4, Lazaro 3, Tuano 2, Lazo 0, Fjellvang 0, Bongo 0.

Quarters: 20-18, 37-38, 56-60, 78-72

—JKC, GMA Integrated News