UAAP: La Salle strikes first in Final Four, forces decider against NU

Refusing to let this game be their last for the year, De La Salle University claimed victory against first-seeded National University, 87-77, in the UAAP Season 88 Final Four on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Taft-based squad’s winning efforts were charged by the steady performance of Jacob Cortez and the return of EJ Gollena from his suspension. The guards scored 13 and 11 points, respectively, to help La Salle extend the semifinals series.

Keeping their season alive, DLSU head coach Topex Robinson remarked that today’s victory was a product of his team’s determination.

“We’re extremely grateful and blessed to be here. Again, we just tried to prolong the series. We only had Kean back last week in practice, so these guys just decided to have more practices together with this lineup,” the La Salle mentor said.

“We’re up against the number one team. We’re always going to be battling out with them. Grateful and blessed to play one more game,” Robinson added.

Swingman Vhoris Marasigan also came up with some important production today, scoring 10 points and being one of the catalysts in the third quarter to pull away from the Bulldogs.

The first two quarters of this highly anticipated matchup saw both schools exchange big swings and counters.

La Salle came out to a spirited start, coming up with an 11-point lead in the first canto, 28-17. Not phased, NU came biting back with a 29-point second quarter performance to cut DLSU’s lead to two heading into the intermission, 48-46.

After halftime, La Salle loaded up again, this time coupled with suffocating defense. Led by Cortez and Marasigan, the Green Archers came out to a 14-2 run to extend their lead to as much as 14 points, 62-48.

DLSU also held NU to only eight points in the third frame.

“It feels good. I’d like to thank God first for everything. Thank God, Mason [Amos] and Kean [Baclaan] are back with us. Mase hit a couple of big shots, Kean was playing composed. We’re still focused on the next game, which is a do-or-die game,” Cortez said. “We know NU is going to come out hard. It’s up to us to focus on what we’re going to do.”

Former NU Bulldog and now La Salle guard Kean Baclaan also made his comeback to the hardwood today after missing some time due to an MCL injury which he suffered on October 16 against UE.

On the other hand, all is not lost for NU as it still has a chance to claim a seat in this year’s finals.

Star player Jake Figueroa produced 20 points to go along with nine rebounds, while Omar John followed with 12 points of his own.

The scores:

DLSU 87 - Cortez 13, Phillips 12, Gollena 11, Marasigan 10, Macalalag 9, Pablo 9, Amos 8, Abadam 6, Baclaan 6, Dungo 3, Nwankwo 0.

NU 77 - Figueroa 20, John 12, Enriquez 8, Manansala 8, Jumamoy 7, Francisco 6, Palacielo 6, Garcia 4, Padrones 2, Parks 2, Santiago 2, Dela Cruz 0, Tulabut 0.

Quarters: 28-17, 48-46, 67-54, 87-77.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News