La Salle lived to fight another day in the UAAP Season 88 Final Four after toppling top-seeded National University 87-77, at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
The Green Archers’ win, however, didn’t come easy despite leading for most of the game against a Bulldogs side they hadn’t beaten all season long.
‘We just tried to prolong this series,’ coach Topex Robinson said. ‘We are up against the number one team so we’re always going to be battling it out with them but we’re grateful and blessed to play one more game.’
The pesky Bulldogs rallied from 17 points down, giving the Green Archers a scare late in the game.
Reinhard Jumamoy’s two coolly sank free throws with 3:52 to play sparking a 6-0 blitz that seemingly gave the Bulldogs a fighting chance. They slashed the lead to nine, 81-72, with 2:23 remaining after a huge triple from Jake Figueroa. Just moments after Figueroa’s long bomb, Jacob Cortez was called for a technical foul for flopping, which further gave the Bulldogs some hope. Cortez, however, would quickly make up for his mistake, sinking his signature jumper in the ensuing play.
As NU tried to make a last-ditch rally, JC Macalalag knocked down a dagger three to put La Salle beyond reach, 86-74, with 52 seconds left.
It was the story for the game for the Green rchers, who had lost a sizeable lead early in the game but managed to have an answer anytime NU came knocking back.
La Salle outworked NU on the boards with 45 rebounds over the Bulldogs’ 32. It also didn’t help the top seeds’ cause that they turned the ball over 15 times-committing 12 in the second half alone.
Cortez shone anew for the Archers with 13 points while Mike Phillips recorded another double-double of 12 points and 17 rebounds. Kean Baclaan also announced his return to La Salle’s lineup with six points, two assists and a rebound.
Figueroa’s all-around game of 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists was put to waste as he also fumbled the ball eight times in the loss. Omar John also recorded 12 points and five rebounds in a losing effort.
The Bulldogs and Green Archers go at it again on Saturday at the same venue for a ticket to the UAAP Finals.