They almost had it.
But alas, the UP Fighting Maroons will have to bust their guts one more time after a fourth-quarter blunder diminished their efforts and resulted in a finals win for the La Salle Green Archers by the skin of their teeth, 75-76, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday.
The men’s basketball team was behind for much of the first half despite making more scores during the second and third frames. It took until UP’s 11-2 run and a barrage of triples from point guard and Mythical Five player JD Cagulangan added 26 points—they ended the third period more confidently, 62-54.
“Nagkataon lang naman na sa ‘kin yung mga shots,” Cagulangan told reporters after the game. “Para suklian yung trust ng mga teammates ko and sa coach, so kailangan kong itira nang buong kumpiyansa sa sarili.”
The Maroons tried to hold onto their advantage in the closing frame as the Archers kept slipping up on crucial charities. But just as victory was within arm’s reach, La Salle managed to sneak up on UP in the fourth quarter as Season 87 MVP Kevin Quiambao made a run for it and shortened the Maroons’ lead to four with a shot from long distance, 67-63.
Quiambao’s pair of threes ultimately put La Salle ahead with 1:13 left, 73-74. Quentin Millora-Brown quickly tried to take the lead back for UP with a deuce, but Mike Phillips clutched it back just as fast.
The scores ultimately stayed at 75-76 after it all came crumbling down in the closing minute for Francis Lopez, who failed four of his foul shots in a row. Lopez rebounded the ball which resulted in a turnover after an errant pass to Cagulangan.
Mike Phillips failed to sink in the two charity shots, which the Maroons responded to with Lopez donating an out-of-bound pass to the audience, which sent La Salle’s Quiambao to the free throw line.
Quiambao missed, giving UP one last opportunity with 12.1 seconds left in the game.
Lopez then again rebounded the ball, which made its way to team captain Gerry Abadiano. But his last-second attempt at a three-pointer failed, sealing their fate and forcing a do-or-die on Dec. 15.
“I guess yung mga ganon naman, missed free throws or missed shots at the end, it’s part of the game,” coach Goldwin Monteverde said to reporters in a post-game press conference. “We did our best to try and execute.”
The Green Archers won the game despite failing 11 free throws during the fourth quarter. But it was the Maroons’ failure to close out the game, paired with Quiambao’s heroics during the last stretch, that really spelled the loss for UP.
Cagulangan, Lopez, and Abadiano collected 16 points apiece, while Game 1 hero QMB contributed 11.
Observers lamented UP’s Game 2 curse staying alive, and should the Fighting Maroons lose the deciding match, this will be the third straight final since Season 85 where the Maroons won Game 1 and lost the two subsequent clashes.
Perhaps third time’s the charm as the Fighting Maroons get one more chance to complete their redemption arc against the La Salle Green Archers on Sunday, 5:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UP (75)
Cagulangan 16, Lopez 16, Abadiano 16, Millora-Brown 11, Torres 5, Alarcon 5, Torculas 2, Ududo 2, Stevens 2, Felicilda 0, Bayla 0, Fortea 0.
DLSU (76)
Quiambao 22, Phillips 18, Gollena 9, Macalalag 9, Gonzales 8, Austria 5, David 3, Agunanne 2, Marasigan 0, Ramiro 0, Rubico, 0.
QUARTER SCORES
22-28, 36-39, 62-54, 75-76. ●
