There is simply no denying La Salle its 11th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball crown.

The Green Archers, behind the pro-bound Mike Phillips, pulled the plug on the University of the Philippines’ (UP) quest to retain the title with an 80-72 victory in Game 3 of Season 88 on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

What made the victory sweeter for La Salle was that it became the second team in the Final Four era to win a UAAP title after overcoming a twice-to-win disadvantage in the semifinals.

Phillips, who was hailed as the finals Most Valuable Player (MVP), went out with a bang in his final year as he registered a double-double output of 25 points and 18 rebounds. 

Topex Robinson also won his second UAAP title as head coach for the Archers since being appointed in 2023. 

Before a crowd of 24,339 fans inside the Big Dome, Robinson and the Archers remained cool, calm and composed in the final minutes of the game.

“I’m speechless. It was a good fight,” Robinson said.

“Our guys just stick together no matter what hit us. With less than three minutes, four minutes left and when they thought that they had momentum on their side, we had to gather up, relax, stay composed.”

“I don’t have to say that, they really did that themselves,” he added.

For Phillips, who averaged 13.3 points and 13.7 boards in the best-of-three championship series, faith was instrumental in their championship run as they had clarity and poise despite the pressure.

“Jesus brought us to rock bottom so he could show us that He is the rock. Jesus Christ is the one who saved us,” Phillips said.

The Archers didn’t panic especially in the final seconds of the game when UP was trying desperately to claw back into the game. 

La Salle had a 76-69 lead with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when Harold Alarcon buried a crucial triple to cut the lead to just four points for UP. 

Archers Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan then hit four free throws down the stretch to ice the game and settle the issue once and for all.

Amos had 11 points, three rebounds and four assists for La Salle while Vhoris Marasigan had 10 points in Game 3. 

Rey Remogat led UP with 21 points as they lost their third title in five years. 

Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde swears he has no regrets despite losing his third finals in five seasons.

Veterans Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Janjan Felicilda, Terrence Fortea and ReylandTorres have all exhausted their playing years for UP, leaving the squad wanting in seasoned players for Season 89.

“I am proud to be the coach of our team, especially this season. Not only during the season, but the whole year that we were together,” Monteverde said.

“Having those ups and downs, the team kept fighting over bad things, but at the same time, overcoming things as a team. I’m very proud of them.”