UAAP: Jacob Cortez explodes for 29 as La Salle overcomes NU to set up finals duel vs UP

De La Salle University is back in the UAAP finals after coming out triumphant against National University, 78-73, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Jacob Cortez continued to exemplify his big-game prowess as he produced a career-high 29 points to help La Salle overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage in the Final Four. The combo guard also produced four assists and four rebounds.

Wing players Earl Abadam and Vhoris Marasigan followed their lead guard’s scoring production, churning out 14 and 10 markers respectively.

This win of the fourth seeded Taft-based squad is the first Final Four victory over a top ranked team since NU’s Season 77 team did it against Far Eastern University.

Overlooked throughout the whole season, La Salle head coach Topex Robinson is elated to see his boys overcome a tough adversary in NU.

“The biggest win for us is that we let our faith guide us in this really challenging season. And what a way to end the Final Four,” Robinson said.

“We have to give credit to NU for really not giving up until that final buzzer. It was really a nip-and-tuck affair, but these guys really showed up. They manned up and they came out smarter especially in the second half,” the champion mentor added.

In a game which saw seven lead changes throughout the game, Cortez drained a tough three in the corner over the outstretched arms of an NU defender to shift the momentum to DLSU with 1:40 left in the last canto, 72-71.

The ‘Cool Cub’ was not finished showcasing his tough shot-making as after he hit a mid-range jumper to give La Salle the lead, 74-72, he calmly hit a free throw to give DLSU a much needed three-point cushion, 75-72.

It was a game of who can make their free throws at the game’s end as Kean Baclaan sent his former team packing after going perfect from the stripe, 77-73.

Despite this game arguably being his best in a Green and White jersey so far, Cortez shifted his praises to his teammates for their hard work throughout the 40 minutes.

“We all worked hard for this moment. All you guys see is my shots but Mike, JC, and Earl did a good job in defending our opponents. Even Figueroa had 21, but it was a tough 21 for him. And I think that’s what helped us win the game, that’s what helped me get into my groove,” Cortez asserted.

The Green Archers start their quest for redemption as they face defending champions University of the Philippines in a best-of-three finals starting on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Scores:

La Salle 78 – Cortez 29, Abadam 14, Marasigan 10, Phillips 8, Macalalag 8, Baclaan 4, Amos 3, Pablo 2, Gollena 0.

NU 73 – Figueroa 21, Manansala 13, Palacielo 13, John 6, Padrones 6, Jumamoy 5, Garcia 4, Parks 4, Enriquez 1, Santiago 0, Francisco 0, Tulabut 0.      

Quarters: 14-20, 30-36, 53-54, 78-73.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News