DLSU’s path to redemption is finally complete as they take home the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball title.
The UAAP men’s basketball crown is headed back to Taft Avenue.
The DLSU Green Archers are champions once again after a thrilling Game 3 victory over the UP Fighting Maroons, 80-72, in the Season 88 Men’s Basketball finals on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
DLSU now secures their 11th UAAP men’s basketball title, along with exacting revenge over State U. The Archers have now beaten the Fighting Maroons twice since their first title fight in Season 86 (2023).
“All glory to God. Our adversities really strengthened our faith; sometimes we even ask if we deserve it, but we just kept our faith,” DLSU head coach Topex Robinson said post-game. “This really is a journey worth remembering, but we also have to acknowledge and honor UP for bringing out the best in us, but again, grateful and blessed to win another championship.”
State U seemed poised to clinch a back-to-back late at the midway point of the fourth quarter after Rey Remogat went on a personal 7-1 run, capped off by a booming triple, to give the Fighting Maroons a 67-64 lead with 4:15 left in regulation.
Still, the Archers held firm, going on to respond with crucial buckets that sealed the championship. Mason Amos made two crucial free throws to cut the lead down to one, which was followed by back-to-back baskets from Vhoris Marasigan that put DLSU up, 71-67, at the 2:09 mark of the final period.
Though the Fighting Maroons remained within striking distance, the breaks of the game ultimately went to DLSU. With the Archers holding a precious three-point lead, 72-69, with 1:05 left, Kean Baclaan knocked down another pair of clutch freebies to extend the lead to five.
After a series of desperate shots from the Fighting Maroons, JC Macalalag iced the game through a fastbreak layup with 31.6 seconds left. And while Reyland Torres connected on a last-gasp triple, Amos and Baclaan responded by keeping their cool at the charity stripe, going 4-for-4 to seal the final scoreline and the Season 88 championship.
In closing out the Fighting Maroons, DLSU also became the second fourth-seeded team to clinch the UAAP Men’s Basketball title, following the NU Bulldogs in Season 77 (2014). According to league statistician Pong Ducanes, their 8-6 record in the eliminations was also the lowest for a title-winning team in a complete eight-team and double round-robin format.
“UP put up a good fight, and Remogat hit a big shot. But then again, our guys, we just stick together no matter what hits us. That was a really big shot with [four minutes left], and they thought that they had momentum on their side, but we just gathered, stayed relaxed, stayed composed,” said ace guard Jacob Cortez, who finished with nine points and five assists in the title clincher.
Graduating captain Mike Phillips left it all on the floor to end his UAAP career, finishing with a season-high 25 points and 13 rebounds, along with Finals Most Valuable Player honors. Motor Mike averaged an impressive 13.3 points and 13.7 rebounds in the three-game series.
Amos followed with 11 points and four assists, along with taking on defensive duties, while Marasigan chipped in 10 off the bench. Co-captain Earl Abadam added nine markers, while Baclaan had eight built on 6-of-7 free throw shooting.
Remogat paced State U with 21 points, along with a solid 16-point and 15-rebound double-double from big man Francis Nnoruka. Torres, meanwhile, poured in 11 markers off the Fighting Maroons’ bench.
Images by Kieran Punay/KLIQ Inc..