De La Salle University reached the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball finals on Saturday in style.

Behind Jacob Cortez’s career-high 29 points, the Green Archers eliminated National University (NU), 78-73, in their do-or-die semifinals match in Season 88 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It will be La Salle’s third straight finals appearance under head coach Topex Robinson as they look forward to a best-of-three championship series with defending champion University of the Philippines (UP) starting this Wednesday.

In pulling the plug on the Bulldogs’ bid, the Archersalso became the third team in league history to pull off an upset over the No.1 seed in the Final Four era after University of Santo Tomas did it in 2013 and the Bulldogs back in 2014.

For Cortez, who waxed hot after going 11-of-16 from the field, he needed help from Mike Phillips and JC Macalalag to get into his shooting form.

“I want to give credit to my coaches and my teammates. We all worked so hard for this,” said Cortez, the son of former top Archer Mike, who will  be making his debut in the UAAP finals.

“All you guys see are my shots but Mike and JC did a good job defending their opponents, even though Figeroua scored 21 points, those were hard points. That’s what helped me get into the groove and win the game.”

Cortez broke a 72-all deadlock with 56.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter with a midrange jumper to give La Salle some breathing room.

Four free throws from Cortez, Kean Baclaan and Mason Amos down the stretch iced the game for the Archers.

With the Maroons awaiting them for Game 1 of the finals on Wednesday, La Salle head coach Topex Robinson said they want to savor the series and enjoy every moment in their quest to reclaim the title they lost last year.

‘We just want to enjoy the journey together. We want to make sure every game we play, especially with Mike’s final year, we want to enjoy every moment,” Robinson said.

“But it’s going to be exciting facing them again. They really bring out the best in us and they make you a better person, player, and me personally a better coach to be up against one of the best coaches in college.”

Earl Abadam contributed 14 points, while Vhoris Marasigan added 10 points for the Taft-based squad.

Phillips also made eight points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals as he enters his last championship series for the Archers.

In his final game for the Bulldogs, Jake Figueroa scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block while fellow graduates Jolo Manansala and PJ Palacielo scored 13 points each.

Also leaving NU after Season 88 are Steve Nash Enriquez, Gelo Santiago, Mark Parks and Munmun dela Cruz.

Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa had nothing but gratitude for his senior players despite missing the championship round.

“It hurts to lose, especially for my senior players but life goes on. I am still proud of my team and we gave our best,” Napa said. 

“There is nothing to be ashamed of. Whatever their decision was on the court, I was still proud of them.”