Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

1:30 p.m. — Adamson vs Ateneo

4:30 p.m. — NU vs UST

De La Salle University charged back from 16 points down in the first quarter to stun defending champion University of the Philippines (UP), 87-82, and inch closer to a Final Four seat in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.  

Trailing, 71-74, the Green Archers unleashed a decisive 11-2 run to take an 82-76 advantage before holding off the Fighting Maroons’ fightback for a 7-6 win-loss card.

La Salle snapped a three-game slide and completed an elimination round sweep of UP, which saw its six-game win streak halted to finish with a 10-4 card.

“I guess it just makes it harder because you’re coming off a three-game losing streak. We’ve been to injuries, sickness through the players. But what really transpired there is their will to win,” Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson said.

“Not giving up in every possession, knowing that UP’s gonna always give you a good fight and just gonna test you to the metal. But again, guys stepped up and guys, most importantly, had fun playing and competing. These guys really deserve to savor this moment.”      

Mike Phillips led the Green Archers, who went down 6-22 in the first period, with 21 points and 14 rebounds and Vhoris Marasigan had 17 points. Earl Abadam and Jacob Cortez added 14 points each for La Salle, which welcomed the surprise return of Mason Amos after missing seven straight games due to a knee injury.

The Green Archers, however, could lose EJ Gollena to suspension in their final elims match on Wednesday against Ateneo de Manila University after committing a disqualifying foul with 6.6 seconds left in the first quarter for hitting UP center Francis Nnoruka in the stomach with a closed fist.

Rey Remogat finished with 26 points and Nnoruka, who was ejected with 46.8 seconds left in the match because of a second technical foul (delay of game), had 14 points and seven boards.       

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University (FEU) continued its push for a Final Four berth after beating winless University of the East (UE), 84-77, in the first match.

The Tamaraws banked on a strong first half to build a significant separation before staving off a late Red Warriors run for a 6-7 card tied with Adamson University at fifth to sixth spot.

FEU still has a backdoor chance to advance into the next round with a win over University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday to force a playoff. The Tamaraws’ semifinals fate, however, is already out of their hands as they not only need to win over the Tigers but will also need to pray that no two teams among those still in contention reach eight wins.