UP vs La Salle: Revisiting their last two UAAP Finals battles

After two tightly contested battles — Game 1 won by De La Salle University and Game 2 by the University of the Philippines — the UAAP Season 88 Finals series has come down to a deciding Game 3.

All signs seemed to point in this direction. After all, the past two seasons have also seen these two decorated teams clash for the championship in a do-or-die finale.

Here’s a look back at what unfolded in the previous two UAAP Finals showdowns between the Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers:

Season 86

The Fighting Maroons entered the Finals fresh off a championship loss to Ateneo de Manila University and were eager to reclaim the title they last won in Season 84.

Standing in their way were the Green Archers, led by Kevin Quiambao and Evan Nelle, who proved they belonged on the biggest stage. It was also a defining moment for then-new head coach Topex Robinson, who was seeking his breakthrough championship.

In the end, it was Quiambao and the Taft-based squad who prevailed, as La Salle snapped a seven-year title drought.

Game 1: UP 97–67 La Salle
Game 2: UP 60–82 La Salle
Game 3: UP 69–73 La Salle

Finals MVP:  Kevin Quiambao (14.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game)

Season 87

The Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers met once again in the Finals, with UP still hungry to reclaim the crown and La Salle aiming for back-to-back titles behind the dominance of two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao.

This time, however, it was a retooled UP squad—bannered by Quentin Millora-Brown and Francis Lopez—that emerged on top. The Fighting Maroons capped their title run by sending off graduating guard JD Cagulangan, a former Green Archer, on a winning note.

Game 1: La Salle 65–73 UP
Game 2: La Salle 76–75 UP
Game 3: La Salle 62–66 UP

Finals MVP: JD Cagulangan (13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game)

Season 88

Season 88 has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride for both squads.

UP opened the campaign with a 0–2 start before surging to a 10–2 finish, claiming second place and a twice-to-beat advantage. Of the Fighting Maroons’ four losses in the elimination round, two came at the hands of La Salle.

The Green Archers, meanwhile, battled through adversity after injuries to key players Kean Baclaan and Mason Amos. They needed victories in their final two games—against UP and Ateneo—to clinch the fourth seed in the Final Four.

Burdened with a twice-to-beat disadvantage, La Salle stunned top-seeded National University to book yet another Finals showdown with UP.

In Game 1 of the Finals, newly-transferred Jacob Cortez drilled a dagger three-pointer to lift La Salle to victory. UP responded in Game 2 behind the clutch heroics of senior guard Gerry Abadiano, forcing a winner-take-all finale.

Game 1: UP 70–74 La Salle
Game 2: UP 66–63 La Salle

—JKC, GMA Integrated News