De La Salle University put defending champion University of the Philippines' seven-game winning streak to a screeching halt in a narrow, 82-80, escape to bolster its Final Four bid in the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball tournament Sunday night at the MOA Arena.

The Green Archers displayed nerves of steel, hanging tough in the last 65 seconds of the game to weather the semis-bound Fighting Maroons' final push to salvage the game before walking away with their second straight win for a 5-6 win-loss record to tie Adamson University at fourth spot.

"I think I must give it to the guys. Proud of the way we played today. We got down by 10, 12 points, but we still regrouped, and the start of the game, I talked to them… We can beat UP, but we can beat them only if we play as a team, have that collective effort, everybody contributing," La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren said.

Kevin Quiambao fueled the Green Archers' telling 10-0 run that broke a 69-69 deadlock to go up 79-69 with 1:13 left. La Salle also forced UP to commit four straight turnovers in that stretch that shifted the momentum to the Green Archers' favor.

However, the Fighting Maroons refused to go down without a fight with JD Cagulangan completing a three-point play and James Spencer hitting a three to cut their deficit to just four, 79-75, with 23.7 seconds left. Quiambao split his foul shots in the next La Salle possesion before Cagulangan banked in a triple with 12.5 ticks left to draw closer, 80-78.

Quiambao then hit two more charities with 11.3 seconds left before UP center Malick Diouf made a basket for the final count.

Quiambao scored 13 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, Mark Nonoy had 15 points while CJ Austria got 10 markers for the Green Archers, who forced UP to commit 21 turnovers that they converted to 26 points.

The Fighting Maroons absorbed their second loss in 12 games but remained on top of standings.

Zavier Lucero led three other UP players in double figures with 15 points. Carl Tamayo had 14 markers and pulled down seven boards, Spencer got 12 while Diouf had 11 markers and 11 rebounds for the Fighting Maroons.