RESULTS: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals Game 2 – La Salle vs UP

UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals schedule

December 11, Wednesday – Game 1 – Mall of Asia Arena

• 1:30pm – UST Growling Tigresses vs NU Lady Bulldogs
• 5:30pm –UP Fightings Maroons vs. La Salle Green Archers

December 15, Sunday – Game 3  – Smart Araneta Coliseum

• 1pm –   NU Lady Bulldogs vs UST Growling Tigresses
• 5:30pm – La Salle Green Archers vs UP Fightings Maroons

UAAP Finals: UP’s Reyland Torres not suspended for Game 3

MANILA, Philippines — Reyland Torres will be available for the University of the Philippines’ winner-take-all Game 3 game against La Salle in the Finals of UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The league announced on Thursday that Torres won’t be suspended in Game 3 despite his ejection in the Fighting Maroons’ 76-75 loss in Game 2 on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Torres committed two unsportsmanlike fouls, receiving his first after he hit EJ Gollena with 5:33 remaining in the third quarter.

UAAP Finals: Coach Goldwin shrugs off UP’s apparent ‘Game 2 curse’

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde believes there’s no Game 2 curse, saying “basketball is basketball,” after the Fighting Maroons missed another chance to wrap up the title with a sweep in the UAAP men’s basketball Finals.

For the fourth straight time, Monteverde will be coaching UP in a winner-take-all finals game– just like his first three title series appearances where they couldn’t close out the series in Game 2.

But the soft-spoken UP coach sees no problem in their past four Game 2 losses, believing it’s all part of the fierce competition of the UAAP.

UAAP Finals: JD Cagulangan quickly moves on from Game 2 loss

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines graduating guard JD Cagulangan knows it’s not over until it’s over.

UP missed the chance to close out the finals series in Game 2 for the fourth straight time after crucial misses and turnovers allowed La Salle to force a rubber match for the UAAP Season 87 crown with with a 76-75 win in front of 17,112 fans on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

But Cagulangan has no time to dwell on their heartbreaking loss, choosing to stay locked in for his final collegiate match in Game 3 on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

UAAP Finals: Topex’s ‘amazing’ prayer serves as fuel for Mike Phillips

MANILA, Philippines—La Salle forward Mike Phillips had all the fuel he needed for Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals in the form of a prayer from coach Topex Robinson, just days before the gargantuan win over the University of the Philippines.

Down 0-1 before Wednesday, the Green Archers needed all the motivation to tie the series and fortunately for Phillips, he was given the best pep talk by Robinson after one of their practices before Game 2.

“I wish you guys could’ve been there yesterday during our practice. Coach Topex (Robinson) gave one of the most amazing prayers that I’ve heard from a man,” said an emotional Phillips after their 76-75 win over the Fighting Maroons at Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday.

UAAP Finals: Relief for Topex as missed FTs nearly doom La Salle

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle coach Topex Robinson heaved a big sigh of relief the Green Archers overcame missed crucial free throws to survive with cardiac win over University of the Philippines and take the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals to a deciding Game 3.

In front of a pressure-packed 17,112 fans, Phillip missed crucial free throws with 19.6 seconds left after giving La Salle a 76-75 lead in the final minute.

The Green Archers got a lucky break when Fighting Maroons star Francis Lopez grabbed the rebound off Phillip’ but committed a costly passing turnover.

UAAP Finals: Kevin Quiambao emotional as La Salle gets another shot

MANILA, Philippines—UAAP Season 87 MVP Kevin Quiambao was overcome with emotions after La Salle lived to fight another day for the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball championship, forcing a Game 3 against University of the Philippines in the Finals on Wednesday.

Quiambao missed two crucial freethrows that could’ve given La Salle some breathing room with 14 seconds left as UP, eager to finally end the series, got the final possession of the game.

UAAP Finals: Francis Lopez offers no excuse for endgame blunders

MANILA, Philippines — Francis Lopez offered no excuse for his costly missed free throws and turnovers that allowed La Salle to drag University of the Philippines to another Finals rubber match in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

After Mike Phillips put La Salle ahead with a 76-75 lead with a minute remaining,  Lopez missed four straight free throws that could have given UP back the crucial advantage.

When Phillips missed a pair of free throws, Lopez got the rebound but his pass to JD Cagulangan went out of bounds with 15 seconds remaining.

UAAP Finals: La Salle beats UP in tense finish to force Game 3

La Salle can breathe a little better now after getting a chance to live another day and forcing an all-or-nothing Game 3 in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament Finals.

The Green Archers leveled the series after completing a 76-75 win over University of the Philippines on the back of Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips Wednesday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

UAAP Finals: La Salle beats UP in tense finish to force Game 3

La Salle can breathe a little better now after getting a chance to live another day and forcing an all-or-nothing Game 3 in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament Finals.

The Green Archers leveled the series after completing a 76-75 win over University of the Philippines on the back of Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips Wednesday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

Quiambao showed once again why he is a two-time MVP after nailing two crucial three-pointers, both in front of the Maroons defense with the second over of towering Quentin Millora-Brown, to save the Green Archers in the dying minutes of regulation. He finished with 22 points and nine rebounds.

LIVE UPDATES: UP Fightings Maroons vs. La Salle Green Archers (UAAP Finals Game 2)

• FINAL: La Salle forces a rubber match! The Green Archers escape with 76-75 win over the UP Fighting Maroons in Game 2.
• La Salle, which holds a 76-75 lead, has 23 seconds to force a rubber match.
• Lopez was fouled but misses both. 23.0 ticks left La Salle.
• KQ puts La Salle ahead. QMB answers. Phillips underneath. 76-75 La Salle lead a minute to play.
• KQ with a clutch three! La Salle within two, 71-73, with 2 mins to go.
• Mike Phillips cuts the lead down to 73-68 with over 2 minutes left to play.

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Reyland Torres has been ejected after an unsportsmanlike foul on CJ Austria.

UP up 73-68, with 2:40 left in Game 2 of the #UAAPFinals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Uh3LpgpJVt

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) December 11, 2024

• Reyland Torres has been ejected after committing a clear path foul.
• JD Cagulangan drives to the middle and scores off the glass. UP 71-63 La Salle. 5 minutes to play.
• Kevin Quiambao with a much needed 3 for La Salle! UP lead down to 4, 67-64.
• Gate attendance for Game 2 of the UAAP Finals: 17,112.
• KQ scored his 13th point. La Salle trailing, 57-64.
• END OF 3RD: UP 62, La Salle 54
• JD Cagulangan from the same stop, and he makes the 3 with five seconds left! UP takes a 62-54 lead–its biggest of the game.
• Four straight misses by La Salle from the stripe. UP still leads 59-54.
• Cagulangan left with open and he makes another 3! UP opens a 59-54 lead. La Salle calls time.
• JD Cagulangan with a 3 in transition! And UP now with a 54-52 lead with over 3 minutes.
• UP briefly takes the lead 47-46, but La Salle answers right away to wrest the advantage again.
• KQ from deep! La Salle with a 46-43 lead.
• Cagulangan ties it at 43-all with 6:48 left in Q3.
• Abadiano scores his 12th point as UP cuts La Salle lead to 41-43 with over 7 minutes left in the third.
• Halftime stats: Mike Phillips leading La Salle with 14 points Francis Lopez has 14 points for UP.
• HALFTIME: La Salle 39, UP 36.
• Gerry Abadiano from midrange. He also draws a foul. UP 29. La Salle 33.
• Frenzied couple of possessions for both sides for the past few minutes. La Salle holding onto a 33-27 lead midway through the second quarter.
• Reyland Torres with a 3, Gani Stevens inside stab and UP now just down 27-28 with 7 minutes in the second.
• END OF 1ST: La Salle 28, UP 22.
• Francis Lopez answers back 3. UP behind 26-22.
• KQ and Phillips leading La Salle’s charge so far as the Green Archers take a 24-18 lead.
• Mike Phillips stretches La Salle’s lead, 20-13, with 2:43 left in the first.
• La Salle takes the lead, 12-11.
• La Salle cuts it down to one, 10-11, with 5 mins left in Q1.
• UP unleashes a 9-4 start in Game 2.

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A sea of Maroons fill up the entrance way of the Mall of Asia Arena ahead of the #UAAPSeason87 Finals Game 2.

UP looks to close out the series today while La Salle aims to push the series to a decider. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/DGsbB0RVeh

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) December 11, 2024

UAAP: Kevin Quiambao hailed MVP anew as La Salle title bid hangs

MANILA, Philippines — Kevin Quiambao was officially named MVP for the second straight year moments before La Salle’s do-or-die Game 2 against University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

After another masterclass season with 81.357 statistical points after averaging 16.64 points, 8.64 rebounds, 4.07 assists, and a steal in the elimination round, Quiambao became the first Green Archer to win back-to-back MVPs since Ben Mbala in 2017.

Quiambao became the first local to win two consecutive MVPs since Ateneo guard Kiefer Ravena in 2014 and 2015. Jun Limpot (1987-88), Mark Telan (1996-97) and Don Allado (1998-99) are the only other Archers to bag successive MVP awards.

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Kevin Quiambao’s MVP speech. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/dDV6vf1TH2

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 11, 2024

UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball individual awarding

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MVP Kevin Quiambao completes the mythical five. #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/U0oY235PmN

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 11, 2024

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FEU’s Veejay Pre wins the #UAAPSeason87 Rookie of the Year | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/OAlIH8CSH3

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 11, 2024

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UST star Nic Cabañero earns his mythical selection. #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/Vmaonf8fhy

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 11, 2024

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JD Cagulangan earns a mythical selection in his final season. #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/hDtomumNG7

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 11, 2024

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Mike Phillips gets his second career mythical team award. #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/TrzblIRtN1

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 11, 2024

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FEU’s Mo Konateh, the league’s best rebounder, receives his mythical 5 trophy. #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/hJYibZbPrA

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 11, 2024

UAAP Finals: UST Tigresses fend off NU, force title decider

MANILA, Philippines — New heroes emerged for University of Santo Tomas as Brigette Santos and Karylle Sierba kept their title repeat bid alive on Wednesday.

Behind Santos and Sierba, the Growling Tigresses got back at National University, 78-68, in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball finals.

Santos set the tone and unleashed a career-high 27 points while Sierba flourished in the fourth quarter, where she fired 15 of her 18 points as UST forced a winner-take-all duel on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

LIVE UPDATES: UST Growling Tigresses vs NU Lady Bulldogs (UAAP Finals Game 2)

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Danganan with a dagger 3!

UST looks to force a Game 3 with a 76-65 lead. 34.7 seconds left. #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/JLBaYsGSI5

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 11, 2024

• NO SWEEP! FINAL: UST forces a rubber match with a 78-68 win over erstwhile unbeaten NU in Game 2.
• Danganan with a dagger 3! UST looks to force a Game 3 with a 76-65 lead. 34.7 seconds left.
• Santos gives UST a 70-62 advantage with 3 mins remaining.
• Sierba heats up early in the fourth giving UST a 62-59 lead with 6:56 to play.
• END OF 3RD: NU 49, UST 48.
• Fabruada scores again. NU, 43-39, 4:13 remaining in the third.
• NU takes the lead! Fabruada sinks two free throws, 41-39, with 4:56 to go in the third quarter.
• Surada ties the game at 39-all with 5:35 left.
• Surada sinks a trey! NU within two, 37-39, with 6:05 left.
• Pagdulagan cuts down UST’s lead to three. NU still trails, 34-37, with 6:31 to play in the third.

• HALFTIME STATS: Brigette Santos leading UST’s fight with 13 points.
• HALFTIME: UST 32, NU 25.
• Santos brings back the lead to nine for UST, 30-21.
• Pagdulagan with five straight points! NU unleashes a 11-0 run to cut it down to an 20-24 deficit with 4:11 left in the second quarter.
• END OF 1ST: UST 20, NU 9.
• Backs against the wall, the UST Tigresses are off to a fast start vs the NU Lady Bulldogs in Game 2

UAAP: 2-time MVP Kacey Dela Rosa hungry to win title with Ateneo

MANILA, Philippines — Becoming a two-time UAAP MVP only fueled Kacey Dela Rosa’s desire to deliver a championship to Ateneo.

Dela Rosa led the Blue Eagles to the playoffs but lost in the first game of the stepladder semifinals to eventual bronze medalist Adamson in overtime.

“Siyempre ako super happy po kasi nakuha ko yung back-to-back MVP. And siguro hindi pa rin ako satisfied kasi marami pa akong kulang din sa games ko. Kasi naglu-look talaga ako sa team effort. Pero I’m happy naman,” said Dela Rosa, who became first Blue Eagle to win consecutive women’s basketball MVPs since Cassy Tioseco in 2007, shortly after the awarding ceremony on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

VIDEO: Kacey Dela Rosa on her second straight UAAP MVP

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Kacey Dela Rosa on winning her second MVP. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/i2VyIimYl3

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 11, 2024

• Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa is officially a two-time UAAP women’s basketball MVP

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Kacey Dela Rosa receives her #UAAPSeason87 MVP award. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/dRou3xWBP9

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 11, 2024

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Two-time MVP Kacey Dela Rosa headlines the #UAAPSeason87 women’s basketball awardees. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/p8wrcvib8r

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 11, 2024

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RECLAIM OR RETAIN?

The NU Lady Bulldogs 🐾 are on the brink of reclaiming the coveted crown! However, the defending champs, the UST Growling Tigresses 🐯 are determined to retain their title and push the series to the limit in the #UAAPSeason87 Women’s Basketball Finals! pic.twitter.com/hHtRCsgOod

— The UAAP (@uaap_official) December 10, 2024

UAAP Finals: La Salle ready for rough patch with crown loose on its head

La Salle coach Topex Robinson has always preached culture, love and sticking together since he was given the keys to the Green Archers program last year, where they ended a six-year championship drought for one of the esteemed programs in the UAAP.

And it seems like the Archers will continue to live by it even after University of the Philippines pushed the defending champions’ backs against the wall with a 73-65 victory in Game 1 of the Season 87 men’s basketball finals on Sunday.

“The good thing about the team in the dugout was nobody was blaming nobody,” Robinson said as the Maroons defeated them for the first time this season. “We’ve gone this far because of how we really became a united front and we will not let any negativity get in our way.”

UAAP Finals: La Salle, UP know nothing is decided yet after Game 1

Both University of the Philippines (UP) and La Salle talked down Game 1 of their UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament title duel like the result mattered less than what it did on paper.

“Game 1 doesn’t win a championship,” UP coach Goldwin Monteverde said after the Maroons’ 73-65 victory in Sunday’s series opener. “[Part of] the process [toward getting a championship] is to get the Game 1. And [we’ve done that] so we’ll just have to focus on what we need to improve in terms of [our] lapses [during] the game.”

“The only thing that I told the team [was] there’s a reason why this is a series: you don’t win a championship by winning one game, you need two games,” La Salle coach Topex Robinson said after the Archers lost to the Maroons for the first time since, coincidentally, Game 1 of their title bout last season.

La Salle hopes to pull off another UAAP Finals comeback

MANILA, Philippines—A year ago, La Salle completed a UAAP Finals comeback against University of the Philippines after losing Game 1.

On Sunday, the Green Archers found themselves facing the same predicament against familiar rivals following a 73-65 loss in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals opener.

However, to pull off another rally, La Salle will need immense belief, according to Mike Phillips.

UAAP Finals: Topex Robinson lifts La Salle’s morale after Game 1 loss

MANILA, Philippines—For coach Topex Robinson, preparing La Salle for Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals against University of the Philippines is like clockwork and keeping the team’s morale right where he wants it to be following a tough loss is the real challenge.

“The only thing I told the team [after the loss] was, this is the reason why this is a series,” said Robinson after the 73-65 loss in Game 1 on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.

“The players in the dugout just reminded each other to be positive and try to learn from this experience. That’s a tough team that we played against. They’re one of the best so we just have to slug it out with them on Wednesday.”