The De La Salle University Green Archers extended their life as they shocked the league-leader National University Bulldogs, 87-77, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, December 3, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Playing with their full lineup after the return of Kean Baclaan from an MCL injury and EJ Gollena from suspension, the Green Archers built a massive 22-9 lead in the first quarter. Fighting back, the Bulldogs managed to narrow it down to cut La Salle’s deficit to just two in the half, 46-48.

In the fourth quarter, the Green Archers did not look back as back-to-back baskets from Mike Phillips and Luis Pablo extended their lead to 17 points, 71-54. In the dying seconds of the match, the Bulldogs tried again to steal the lead, but the Green Archers managed to hold on.

“We’re extremely grateful and blessed to be here. Again, we just tried to prolong the series. Kean only got back in practice last week, so the guys decided to put in more work with this lineup. We’re up against the number one team, so it’s always going to be a battle,” said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson.

Jacob Cortez led the Green Archers with 13 points, while Phillips had a monster double-double performance of 12 points and 17 rebounds. Gollena contributed 11 points, while Vhoris Marasigan added 10 points and six rebounds.

For the Bulldogs, Jake Figueroa led the team with 20 points and 10 rebounds but committed eight turnovers. Omar John finished the game with 12 points and five rebounds.

Later that day, the defending champions, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, returned to the finals after eliminating the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 82-81.

Trailing by two points in the dying seconds of the match, Terrence Fortea made a three-pointer that eventually gave them the victory.

“I’m very proud of the team. A team like UST, we really respect ‘yung program nila. We know going to this game hindi siya magiging madali for us, but then seeing Terrence (Fortea), sila Harold (Alarcon), the whole team responding sa situation makes me proud as a coach,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde.

Alarcon led the Fighting Maroons with 22 points, while Francis Nnoruka nearly recorded a double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds.

For the Growling Tigers, graduating Nic Cabanero led the team with 24 points, while Gelo Crisostomo had 15 points and seven rebounds. Collins Akowe had a double-double performance of 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Kyle Paranada finished the game with 10 points.

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Since his junior career began for the National University Bulldogs in Season 78, Terrence Fortea has not missed a final four appearance. In his last season playing in the UAAP, Fortea showed everyone why he is always in the finals series wherever he goes.

With 48.5 seconds left on the clock, Fortea showed he had ice in his veins as he sank a three-point shot that eventually became the play that booked their return ticket to the finals.

“Siguro, masaya nga, and na-shoot ko ‘yung tira na ‘yun, pero siguro mindset lang rin na maging ready pa rin kung ma-libre. ‘Yun, ‘yun pa rin,” he said after the match. ‘’Yun nga, sabi ni Coach Gold (Monteverde), ‘yung experience ‘yung best teacher. Thankful din na na-experience namin ‘yun dahil alam namin na magagamit namin ‘yun sa susunod na level namin as a player.”

Playing for almost 13 minutes on the floor, Fortea recorded eight points, six assists, and five rebounds. However, although the Fighting Maroons became the first team to qualify for the finals, Fortea reminded everyone that the job is still not done.

“Siguro ako, hindi ko masyado iniisip. Preparation pa rin talaga ‘yung pinaka-focus ko Wala ‘yun sa last na naming year na magkakasama. ‘Yun pa rin ‘yung pinaka-goal, ‘yung pinaka-focus namin – ‘yung makuha ‘yung back-to-back.”

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After not playing for over a month, Kean Baclaan thought that he would be hopeless when the De La Salle University Green Archers tried to make their push for a return trip to the finals. 

Fortunately, he returned on court just in time for the Green Archers’ semifinals matchup against the National University Bulldogs, which they eventually won.

“I really thought about God. I told myself, He’s the only one who can help me in this situation. Of course, I also wanted to get healthy until we manage the finals,” he said. “Masaya ako dahil nakatulong ako sa team ngayon. Nababawasan ‘yung pagod kay Jacob, and at least kahit papano nakakatulong ako sa team.”

In 19 minutes of play, Baclaan contributed six points, two assists, and a rebound, while having three turnovers.

“Tatlo ‘yung turnovers ko, ‘di ko nga alam bakit ako nandito, e. But I’m just so happy to play again. This has been my dream since I moved to La Salle. It’s not over yet. We still have a game against them on Saturday, so we’re ready,” he ended.

For Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson, he made his decision on whether to let his players play based on the medical team’s advice.

“Depending on what the medical team tells me, kung ano lang ang kaya, ‘yun lang ibibigay namin. We’re not gonna force it because it’s a do-or-die game. We’re not gonna put Kean’s career in harm’s way. We’re just gonna make sure that the minutes he gets will be valuable to support Jacob as we go on through this final game this Saturday,” Robinson said.

The do-or-die match between the Green Archers and the Bulldogs will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 3:30 pm at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.