Just like how the years prior unfolded.
On Sunday, December 14, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons and the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers returned to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City for the nail-biting second game of the men’s basketball finals series.
Over 22,000 spectators attended the match and witness if the Archers would be able to bring the trophy back home to Taft or team Diliman continuing the series for one more game and keep its dream of a back-to-back win alive.
The first quarter saw La Salle take an early lead with a seven-point margin with 20 points versus UP’s 13 points.
But that lead later slipped as the Maroons were able to take a slim lead, two points to be exact, on both the second and third quarters.
On the crucial fourth quarter, both teams were supercharged by their respective motivations. In the end, UP was able to secure itself the chance for the title as the game ended 66-63.
Contributing the highest score for UP during the match was Gerry Abadiano, who was able to give 17 points. Meanwhile, Jacob Cortez delivered 13 points for DLSU.
The UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Finals will be ending on Wednesday, December 17, with the do-or-die match at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.