For the third straight year, there will be a Game 3 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball finals.

Defending champion University of the Philippines (UP) will live to fight another day after escaping De La Salle University, 66-63, in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 finals Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With both teams tied at 1-1, the all-important Game 3 will be on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

Gerry Abadiano led the Fighting Maroons with 17 points as they foiled the Green Archers’ celebration plans in front of 22,412 fans.

It was also the first time UP won over La Salle this season after losing twice in the elimination round and in Game 1.

Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon said despite the imperfections, he is happy with how the boys responded in Game 2 with their season on the line.

“We just live to fight another day. In Coach Gold’s (Monteverde) era, in his fifth season, I think this is our first win in Game 2,” Luanzon said.

“When you lose Game 1, the more desperate team has to be the one that’s down 0-1 and I thought tonight we showed that.  I’m sure you can see a lot of things, especially from the rebounding department.”

For Abadiano, giving UP one more title before he closes his collegiate career is of paramount importance.

“I just adjusted my game depending on the defense throws at me,” said Abadiano, who went 7-of-14 from the field.

“We are just hungry to win after the Game 1 loss. It is my last year and I don’t want to not give our best on the court.”

Holding onto a 63-62 lead, Abadiano sank a jumper with 59 seconds remaining to give the Maroons some breathing room.

Jacob Cortez then scored a technical free throw for the Archers with 44 ticks left but that proved to be their last stand.

Vhoris Marasigan almost gave the lead to La Salle with seven seconds left but his triple rattled off the ring.

Nnoruka sank one of his two free throws down the stretch to seal the game for the Maroons.

The 6-foot-9 Nnoruka had a double-double game for UP with 13 points and 10 rebounds while Rey Remogat had 12 points.

Cortez and Luis Pablo were the only La Salle players to reach double digits as they fired 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Before hostilities began, the UAAP honored the best individual players for Season 88.

Janrey Pasaol of Far Eastern University was crowned the Most Valuable Player, earning 81.5 statistical points despite missing the Final Four.

Pasaol, who was fresh off a heartbreaking stint in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games men’s 3x3 event in Thailand, averaged 15.43 points, 7.5 assists, 4.14 rebounds and 2.14 steals as he became the first Tamaraw to clinch the coveted plum since Terrence Romeo in 2013.

Pasaol joins Collins Akowe and Nic Cabanero of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Mike Phillips of La Salle and Jake Figueroa of National University.

Akowe also bagged the Rookie of the Year award after averaging 16.43 points and 14.5 rebounds for UST.