LIVE UPDATES: UAAP Season 86 Finals December 3

UAAP Finals: UP optimistic after dropping Game 2 anew

MANILA, Philippines—The streak continues for University of the Philippines, which is now 0-4 in Finals Game 2s in the Final Four era.

The Fighting Maroons on Sunday failed to close out the Green Archers, who forced a rubber match following an 82-60 victory on Sunday.

UAAP: Kevin Quiambao bounces back in Game 2 after ‘ineffective’ finals opener

MANILA, Philippines — Despite being crowned as the first local Most Valuable Player in the UAAP in eight years, La Salle star Kevin Quiambao made sure to keep his focus on their goal to keep their title bid alive.

Quiambao received his Season MVP and Mythical Five trophies on Sunday shortly before Game 2 of the finals tipped off but what mattered more for him was helping the Green Archers bounce back from a humiliating Game 1 loss to University of the Philippines four days ago.

UAAP Finals: Evan Nelle finds ways to help La Salle win despite shooting woes

MANILA, Philippines — Evan Nelle may have struggled from the field but his playmaking and defensive effort made a huge impact in La Salle’s Game 2 win over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals on Sunday.

Nelle struggled from the field with only four points on 2-of-12 shooting but he had 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and five steals to help the Green Archers whip the Fighting Maroons, 82-60.

UAAP Finals: ‘Pissed off’ La Salle gives UP dose of own medicine

MANILA, Philippines—The moment La Salle returned to practice following a Game 1 beating at the hands of University of the Philippines last Wednesday, coach Topex Robinson knew Game 2 would see a different Green Archers side.

“Having 16 pissed off players during practice really excited me. They were really pissed off that we got clobbered in Game 1 and they really responded. Practice was really tough in those last three days but I really enjoyed watching them and seeing that they won’t just roll down and die,” said Robinson.

UAAP Finals: Francis Escandor, Joshua David give La Salle big lift in Game 2

MANILA, Philippines — Francis Escandor and Joshua David were among the unsung heroes for La Salle in keeping its title hopes alive and forcing a rubber match against University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals on Sunday.

The Green Archers drew big performances from Escandor and David, who sparked their 82-60 win in Game 2 in front of 20,863 spectators at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

La Salle post-game interview after beating UP in Game 2 of UAAP Finals

UAAP Finals: La Salle fights back vs UP, forces title decider

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle came out firing in the second half to spoil University of the Philippines’ celebration plans and force a winner-take-all game with a vengeful 82-60 victory in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday in front of 20,863 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Licking the wounds of their 97-67 defeat in Game 1, the Green Archers lived up to their promise to fight back and equalize the series as they came out strong in the second half, especially in the payoff period where they tallied a 20-point lead off a JC Macalalag’s triple, 71-51, at the seven-minute mark and never looked back.

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FINAL: La Salle forces a decider with an 82-60 victory over UP in Game 2. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/TrXeietihw

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 3, 2023

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LOOK: It’s a packed crowd here inside Araneta for Game 2 of the #UAAPSeason86 Finals.

Score’s currently tied at 28-all in the second quarter. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/YuurpV14tY

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) December 3, 2023

UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball awardees

UAAP: NU Lady Bulldogs escape UST, tie finals series

MANILA, Philippines — National University kept its “eight-peat” bid alive as it denied University of Santo Tomas’ late run for a 72-70 victory in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball Finals on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Lady Bulldogs made the crucial defensive stops as Maymay Canuto tapped the ball from Kent Pastrana, who attempted a game-equalizing layup, to keep the ball to NU ahead, 72-70, with 17.4 seconds remaining.

UAAP: Kacey Dela Rosa attributes MVP season to Gilas experience

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo’s rising star Kacey Dela Rosa credited her UAAP Season 86 Most Valuable Player run to her Gilas Pilipinas Women experience.

Before the season, Dela Rosa trained under Gilas coach Pat Aquino and played in the William Jones Cup, leading to her first Most Valuable Player award in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament

UAAP: Favour Onoh gets special ‘reward’ after Rookie of the Year plum

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines freshman Favour Onoh got a special pair of Air Force 1 low after capturing one of her goals in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament which was to win the Rookie of the Year award.

Onoh on Sunday flexed her 1-of-1 white Air Forces, which was made by their team’s sponsor, Titan 22. The pair has Maroon details engraved on it with the ’23 Rookie of the Year and her name and jersey No. 10.

UAAP Finals: Francis Lopez a game-time decision in Game 2

MANILA, Philippines — Francis Lopez will be a game-time decision for University of the Philippines in Finals Game 2 due to flu, according to coach Goldwin Monteverde.

Hours before their game on Sunday, Monteverde bared that UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year status is uncertain as they prioritize his health when the Fighting Maroons try to sweep the De La Salle Green Archers in the series and reclaim the championship at Smart Araneta Coliseum.