The De La Salle University Green Archers drew first blood in their best-of-three finals series against the defending champions, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 74-70, in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball finals.

With 46.5 seconds left in the match, Jacob Cortez reentered the game after Harold Alarcon cut the deficit within one, 70-71. Within seconds, Cortez sank a three-point shot in front of Reyland Torres to provide a breather for the Green Archers, 74-70.

Vhoris Marasigan and Mike Phillips missed their four free throws in the dying seconds of the game, but UP also failed to sink their baskets that ultimately gave the Green Archers the victory.

“Knowing that this is gonna be something that is an emotionally-packed game, we’re just fortunate and blessed that we were able to sustain the onslaught of Harold Alarcon. He really took over. We just didn’t stop when UP was making those big runs,” said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson.

In this season, the Fighting Maroons have yet to defeat the Green Archers. La Salle won their first round encounter, 72-69, and repeated the victory in the second round, 87-82.

Cortez led the Green Archers with 21 points, while Doy Dungo added 15 points. Kean Baclaan was limited to nine points and six assists, while Mike Phillips, Luis Pablo, and Vhoris Marasigan had seven points apiece.

Despite leading the team, Cortez deflected the credit to his teammates, who stepped up when he was resting on the bench, especially Baclaan and Dungo.

“I just like to give credit to Kean (Baclaan) and kay Doy (Dungo). Doy stayed ready, Kean did a good job playing off the bench for me. I’m just so proud of them,” Cortez said.

For the Fighting Maroons, Alarcon led the team with a career-high 34 points, while Francis Nnoruka finished the match with 13 points and six rebounds.

Pablo’s fourth-quarter Scoring

Before wearing the green-and-white, Luis Pablo first proudly wore maroon-and-white, the colors of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. Although limited to just seven points throughout the match, one of his baskets gave La Salle a two-point lead with 3:27 remaining in the game.

After the game, Pablo said that he had nothing to prove to his former school, especially his former teammates.

“To be honest, wala. Before heading to game one, I realized na this is a full-circle moment. But as coach said, you don’t want to have personal agendas heading into the game because it will damage our team chemistry. Going into the game, we just planned as a team,” he said after their game one victory.

“We talked as a team that no matter what happens, we’re gonna stick together, especially in the finals, since every quarter, every possession, there are challenges—sticking together lang no matter what.

“We know that we need one more win, but our focus now is [on] our training tomorrow to prepare for Sunday. Coach T (Topex Robinson) told us to value every moment and win every moment.”

Pablo, who first played for the La Salle Green Hills in the NCAA, even admitted that guarding Alarcon, who top-scored for the Fighting Maroons with 34 points, was a challenge he would gladly accept every time they see each other on the court.

“I guess you could say that, but I always want to challenge myself kasi. I’m a big man, and Harold’s a guard, so I really want to challenge myself to guard every possession. Obviously, he’s the best guy on that team. Stopping the best guy in your opponent’s team is the biggest achievement, ‘di ba?” he said.

“I have a defensive mentality. ‘Yung mga ganung situations, ganung responsibilities, hinahanap ko. But ‘di naman perfect, there were a lot of times kanina he scored an and-1, and even if I was playing defense, he made a basket pa. That’s what makes him a great player and props to him.”

Despite winning the pivotal first game of the best-of-three finals, Pablo reminded his team that their goal may be a step closer, but it’s still a long way ahead.

“I told them kanina after the game that no one will celebrate because it’s far from over. This Game 1 win doesn’t mean we won the championship already. Having everyone with the same mindset will boost us. Kung paano namin in-approach Game 1, ganun din namin i-approach Game 2. Our main focus right now is practice tomorrow,” he ended.

Dungo Steps Up as a Spark off the Bench

In the first half of the game, Harold Alarcon erupted for 20 points, but the Green Archers stayed within distance, thanks to Doy Dungo, who scored 12 points. At halftime, the Fighting Maroons were just leading by three points, 36-33.

“Nag-stay ready lang ako kasi nung last game namin, wala ako sa rotation. So parang sabi lang ng coaches sa akin na stay ready lang. Wala naman akong iniisip na mga magtotopak pa ganon. Hindi, kumbaga sa akin, ginawa kong fuel ‘yun para maganda ‘yung ipakita ko ngayong finals. Nagbunga naman,” Dungo said.

In their semifinal victories against the top-seeded National University Bulldogs, Dungo was on the bench, waiting for the right time the team would need his service.

“Sabi nga ni coach Topex, every moment will define you. Lahat naman ng athletes ganon pinapangarap ito. Sabi nga ni Jacob (Cortez), pangarap niyang maglaro sa La Salle. Sa akin din, tumatak din sa isip ko na ‘pag pinasok nila ako, magiging ready lang din talaga ako kung ano ‘yug kaya kong ibigay sa team, ibibigay ko,” he ended.

Game Two of the finals will be on Sunday, December 14, at 4 pm at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.