BACK IN FIGHTING SHAPE: UP snaps two-game skid, survives La Salle in fourth-quarter thriller

Raikkonnen Refol

On the brink of digging themselves into a deeper hole, the Fighting Maroons had no choice but to fight their way up.

University of the Philippines halted a two-game streak after withstanding a desperate late-game barrage by defending champion De La Salle University, 80–76, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Oct. 11.

UP saw its 16-point lead dwindle as La Salle mounted a furious comeback, but the Fighting Maroons regained control in the closing minutes to avoid a third straight defeat following losses to National University and Far Eastern University.

With 2:40 remaining in the payoff period, UP responded to La Salle’s 20–5 run with a closing 7–0 surge, capped by a jumper from Veejay Pre, to flip a 72–73 deficit into a 79–73 advantage.

Rey Remogat fueled the UP’s offense with a game-high 20 points and four rebounds, while Pre backstopped with 19 and Eliot Dimacalungan chipped in 11.

The Fighting Maroons had the early game going for them, carrying a comfortable 42–28 cushion at halftime, capitalizing on the struggles of the green-clad cagers, who managed just four field goals in the second quarter.

However, La Salle turned the fourth quarter into their domain. 

Trailing by as much as 10 points entering the final frame, La Salle watched the UP scoring machine run on fumes as key baskets from Jacob Cortez, Luis Pablo, and Doy Dungo gave the Green Archers their first taste of the lead, 73–72.

But the Fighting Maroons showed firm composure down the stretch, responding with a scoring run of their own before being capped off by a free throw from Remogat to seal the breathless fourth quarter, 80–76.

Meanwhile, for the losing end, JC Macalalag carved 17 points, and Pablo added 14, while Dungo and Cortez chipped in 12 and 10, respectively, for La Salle.

UP rose to a 3–2 record and will take on the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Wednesday, while DLSU dropped to 3–3 and will clash with the same opponent on Sunday.