The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons forced a do-or-die showdown after defeating the De La Salle University Green Archers, 66–63, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball finals on Sunday, December 14, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

With 1:02 remaining, graduating guard Gerry Abadiano knocked down a mid-range jumper to give UP a three-point lead, 65–62. Jacob Cortez later made one of his free throws to trim the deficit to two, 63–65, but Francis Nnoruka also split his attempts from the line to seal the win with a three-point cushion.

“We just lived to fight another day. In Coach Gold’s era, I believe this is our first win sa Game 2. But you know, in a best-of-three series, when you lose Game 1. Obviously, the more desperate team has to be the one that’s down 0-1, and I thought tonight we showed that,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Christian Luanzon.

Abadiano led UP with 17 points, while Nnoruka registered a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. Rey Remogat added 12 points in the victory.

For La Salle, Cortez paced the Green Archers with 16 points, while Luis Pablo chipped in 12 points and six rebounds.

The winner-take-all Game 3 of the UAAP Season 88 finals is set for Wednesday, December 17, at 4 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Abadiano Showed Heart

Finishing with 17 points, Gerry Abadiano showed heart as the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons fought to stay alive against their modern-day rivals, the De La Salle University Green Archers.

For Abadiano, it didn’t matter who took the shots, as long as the win belonged to the team.

“Hindi ko naman in-expect ‘yung ganitong pangyayari. Siguro sa akin, kung ano lang ‘yung binigay ng depensa kinuuha ko lang. Mas gutom lang kami manalo ngayon kasi talo kami nung Game 1,” he said after the victory.

“Syempre personally, last year ko na, ayaw ko naman na sa last year ko hindi ko ibibigay ‘yung pinaka-best ko, pinaka-best namin.”

At the end of the day, Abadiano said he only wants two things: the championship and the lessons he hopes to pass on to his younger teammates.

“Personally, siyempre ‘yung mga experience na nakuha namin nung mga nakaraang Finals, malaking bagay ‘yun para sa akin at sa ibang teammates ko na ma-i-se-share ko sa kanila kung ano ba talaga ang do-or-die game,” he ended.

Jacob Bayla’s Defense Plays Pivotal Role

The stat sheet showed Jacob Bayla finishing with six points and five rebounds, but those who watched the game knew his impact went far beyond the numbers.

After the match, Bayla shared the message his mother sent him before tip-off.

“Before the game, I heard my mom – she did a voice message to me. She was just like, ‘Don’t be in the moment, be the moment,’” he told reporters. “I just wanted to embrace everything: the adversity, the challenges that come with the Finals in a big atmosphere. This game is for my mom.”

During practices, Bayla often guarded teammates Harold Alarcon and Reyland Torres—matchups that helped sharpen his defensive instincts.

“I guard Harold and Reyland every day, so that makes me better. They always push me, and they’re my Kuyas. For their last year, I want to give them a good send-off. I really look up to my Kuya and my idols in Harold and Reyland,” he said.

For Bayla, it all came down to fulfilling his role.

“Like I always say, I am just doing my job. Whatever the coach has me do, I am always ready. I want to win, I want to win the championship, I want to win everything,” he said.

“I just looked up in the crowd today, thinking about being a kid dreaming of playing in front of 20,000 people. That’s a big accomplishment, and I am really excited about what the future has in store.”