La Salle’s Evan Nelle. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–La Salle caught University of the Philippines still in the afterglow of its “upset of the season” to pull off a 83-80 triumph Wednesday and force a do-or-die duel for the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball final at Mall of Asia Arena.
With hustle that translated to rebounding dominance, the Archers built an advantage as large as 22 points, 66-44, on a jumper by Mike Phillips late in the third quarter.
Up to that point, La Salle out-rebounded UP, 51-35, which limited the options of the Maroons who only a few days ago dealt defending champion Ateneo its first defeat after winning 39 straight.
Evan Nelle scored a career-high 26 points including a three-pointer in the final six minutes to make it 75-61 La Salle lead. Justin Baltazar added 15 markers for the Archers.
They will square off on Friday for the right to make it to the best-of-three finals.