The De La Salle University Green Archers clinched the last spot in the final four as they defeated their archrivals, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 78-72, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament. With the win, the Green Archers avoided a step-ladder playoffs.

With 12.4 seconds remaining in the game, Jacob Cortez showed he got ice in his veins as he scored a dagger jumper to extend their lead to four, 76-72. Cortez scored 12 points in that quarter alone as the Green Archers were trailing the Blue Eagles all game long.

“These are the times that I was dreaming of when I was young, watching Ateneo-La Salle games. And I always tell these guys that you’re part of this moment right now, so make sure that you’re gonna make lasting memories,” said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson.

“During the first half, we were struggling because we were so over our emotions and we forgot to trust each other. Just give credit to these guys. They (Cortez and Phillips) really took care of us.”

Cortez led the Green Archers with 20 points and seven assists, while Mike Phillips finished the game with a double-double performance of 13 points and 16 rebounds. Vhoris Marasigan contributed 12 points.

For the Blue Eagles, Escobar led the team with 18 points, while Kymani Ladi contributed 13 points and seven rebounds. Divine Adili had a double-double performance of 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Jared Bahay added 11 points and six rebounds. Waki Espina added 10 points.

Earlier that day, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws survived the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 81-79. However, their hopes of reaching the final four died when the Green Archers defeated the Blue Eagles.

The Tamaraws were hot throughout the game, until Collins Akowe, Gelo Crisostomo, and Nic Cabañero sparked a 14-3 run to trim the deficit down to four, 76-80, with 33.9 seconds remaining.

“Kudos to UST, they came out and played hard, they didn’t just lie down. We just found a way to win. But as I told my guys, we put ourselves in a situation to receive this reward of getting to 7-7. We continued to practice hard, we continued to work with one another. We love each other like family, and it shows how we played earlier and kept grinding,” said Tamaraws head coach Sean Chambers.

Jorick Bautista and Luke Felipe led the Tamaraws with 15 points apiece, while Mo Konateh posted a double-double of 15 points and 18 rebounds. Janrey Pasaol also had a double-double of 13 points and 11 assists with six rebounds, while Kirby Mongcopa also had his own double-double performance of 13 points and 10 rebounds.

For the Growling Tigers, Crisostomo led the team with 28 points, six rebounds, and four steals, while Cabañero scored 17 points and six rebounds.

20

After scoring just eight points in the first three quarters of the game, Jacob Cortez erupted in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points to lead La Salle to overcome Ateneo’s lead that they had built earlier in the game.

After the game, Cortez revealed that the words of teammate EJ Gollena echoed in his mind all throughout the game.

“Yeah, it’s just having fun. EJ Gollena, he’s usually the one who always reminds us of that. But he isn’t here with us, but all he would tell us is to enjoy, have fun. And doing that earlier, those crucial shots, I was having fun and at the same time, we were still focused on the game,” he said.

Cortez added that everything just fell into its place for the Green Archers, who sustained injuries after injuries throughout the season.

“Well, it’s very crucial, you know, for my confidence. But not just me. Everyone started contributing. Our wings, JC Macalalag, Earl Abadan, even Vhoris Marasigan. They missed a couple shots, but these are open shots, and these are good shots that we want coming into the Final Four,” he said. 

“And not just that. We got Mike Phillips and Luis Pablo making their free throws, unlike me.”

With 12.4 seconds left in the match, Cortez made the biggest shot of his career, which basically sealed the deal for the Green Archers. For him, it’s s shot he’s been practising since he was a kid.

“For that shot, I don’t know. I’ve been doing that since I was a kid, counting down by yourself, and there’s no better way to do it than in an Ateneo-La Salle crucial game,” he ended.

8-6

Throughout the elimination round, the Green Archers faced multiple criticisms, especially from naysayers and outsiders who didn’t know what was happening inside the team. Coming off as last season’s finalists, many fans didn’t expect their road to the final four will be as hard as it took.

“Well, you couldn’t ask for a better season than this, you know, because when we were struggling, we always preached about trust, joy, and fulfilment. And when we were really down and out, that was the time we really put everything into each other,” Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson said.

“You know, you might be doubting me. These guys were doubting me, and I said, I’m going to go to hell and back with you guys. And that’s just the way it goes. When you’re coaching this team, you know, it’s always going to be on your head. Your head will always be the first one to get cut off. But if you put everything, I always tell these players that they’re my boss.”

In the first round of eliminations, two Green Archers suffered MCL injuries – Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan. In the second round, two players were slapped with a separate one-game suspension due to disqualifying fouls – Vhoris Marasigan and EJ Gollena.

For Robinson, their entry to the final four was because of the players that are playing inside the court, as he can only do so much as the head coach of the team.

“You know, the players will take me wherever they want to. I might just happen to be the head coach here, but they’re the ones who are really going to lead me. You know, we always talk about managing players, but we always want to lead them,” he said.

“And I just couldn’t ask for a better situation than this. We lost a lot of players from suspensions and injuries, but we always stuck together. The times that we always make sure that we’re going to remember this time.”

Next step for the Green Archers is to defeat the league-leader National University Bulldogs twice in the Final Four to make a return trip to the finals. The Bulldogs swept their elimination round games against the Green Archers.

“I think NU is the only team that beat us twice in the regular season. So they’re really going to come in confident. You know, they’ve really been a solid team. They’ve matured. Just like what we always tell, we’re just going to keep on battling and grinding. We’re just happy to be here. Everybody counted us out when we lost a lot of players. So, we’re just going to keep on trusting each other, preparing for what’s going to be in front of us. And, just enjoying the moment as well,” he ended.