UP Fighting Maroons celebrate after beating the La Salle Green Archers in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons reclaimed their place as the men’s basketball kings after ruling UAAP Season 87 and dethroning La Salle Green Archers.
UP defeated La Salle, 66-62, in a fittingly close Game 3 duel on Sunday to complete its redemption bid after back-to-back bridesmaid finishes since winning the championship in UAAP Season 84.
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RESULTS: UAAP basketball Finals Game 3 – La Salle vs UP
The Fighting Maroons were powered by one-and-done big man Quentin Millora-Brown’s 14 points and 10 rebounds while also getting solid contributions from Francis Lopez, who chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Season 84 hero JD Cagulangan, who added 12 points.
“I’m very thankful, especially to the players. From the start of the season, after our loss last year, they worked hard every single day,” said Coach Goldwin Monteverde after securing his second championship, leading UP in front of a record crowd of 25,248.
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“I’m very proud of how they handled our ups and downs throughout the season. I’m also grateful to the coaching staff for their tireless efforts. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to do my part,” he added.
READ: JD Cagulangan ends UP stint with UAAP Finals MVP award
Cagulangan, the hero of that last UP championship, was named Finals MVP in his final year in the UAAP.
Lopez, whose late game blunders in Game 2 helped the Green Archers tie the best-of-three series, redeemed himself in the most poetic way–nailing a dagger three-pointer that gave the Fighting Maroons a 64-60 breather with 1:12 to play.
Francis Lopez and UP Fighting Maroons celebrate after beating the La Salle Green Archers in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Millora-Brown, who played only one season in the UAAP, delivered two crucial free throws in his final moments as a Fighting Maroon to preserve a 66-62 lead with 11 seconds to go.
He also went 4-of-4 from the line after missed free throws doomed UP in the 76-75 Game 2 loss on Wednesday.
UP amassed as much as a 14-point lead in the third quarter that the Archer doggedly chipped into with a 13-0 run capped by a long three-point bomb from Kevin Quiambao.
READ: UAAP Finals: Francis Lopez offers no excuse for endgame blunders
La Salle finally caught up and tied the game 56-all early in the fourth. Millora-Brown gave UP the lead again before Joshua David tied the game again at 58.
Cagulangan drained a triple before a lull from both sides that lasted around five minutes.
Lian Ramiro broke the ice with a layup to bring La Salle within 61-60 before Lopez’s clutch triple from the top of the key off a kickout pass from Harold Alarcon.
UP FIghting Maroons’ JD Cagulangan in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals. UP won the title after beating La Salle. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
EJ Gollena sank a jump shot with 44 seconds left for La Salle to make it a two-point game, but UP, learning from experience, did not crumble down the stretch and played out a disciplined offense to seal the championship.
Cagulangan and Millora-Brown are the only ones leaving the championship crew that will be defending the crown once again next season.
“I can’t say anything but thank you. I’m so happy to have been part of this program. They welcomed me so well, and UP truly deserved to win this season. I want to thank Coach Gold for trusting me,” said Cagulangan, who has used up all his playing years.
“Of course, my family has been my source of strength. I’m also happy for Francis—so proud of how he overcame everything he’s been through. To Q and the entire UP community, thank you so much. I’m overwhelmed by all the support we’ve received wherever we go,” Cagulangan added.
Kevin Quiambao, who bailed La Salle out in Game 2 with clutch baskets, couldn’t replicate his heroics as the Green Archers settled for the runner-up finish in their second straight Finals appearance. Despite an airtight defense on him, he still finished with 13 points even after starting again from the bench.
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Mike Phillips paced the Green Archers in the losing effort with 18 and points and 12 rebounds before fouling out with only 11 seconds left to play. –with reports from Celest Flores-Colina
