University of the Philippines star Gerry Abadiano against De La Salle University’s Mike Phillips in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Finals. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) — University of the Philippines showed poise under pressure to force an all-or-nothing Game 3 in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball Finals.
The Fighting Maroons stayed alive after outlasting De La Salle University, 66–63, in Game 2 on Sunday before 22,412 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, with Gerry Abadiano leading the charge.
State U's senior captain took matters into his own hands, scoring six of his 17 points in the final minutes to extend the season of him and his fellow "Maroon 5" to one last game.
"Mas gutom lang talaga kaming manalo ngayon," said Abadiano, who also got ample support from Francis Nnoruka's 13-point, 13-rebound performance, 12 points from Noy Remogat, and six points, five rebounds, and solid defense from Jacob Bayla.
UP and La Salle will fittingly settle their trilogy in Game 3 on Wednesday, December 10, at 3:30 p.m. at the historic Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, the same venue where the past two Finals matchups between the modern-day rivals were decided.
With the game tied and under three minutes remaining, Abadiano drilled a two-pointer at the 2:45 mark to give the Fighting Maroons a 61–59 edge.
Jacob Cortez and Vhoris Marasigan kept the Green Archers within striking distance as the clock wound down, trimming the deficit to 62–63, but Abadiano struck again with a jumper with 59 seconds left to push UP ahead, 65–62.
La Salle still had time to respond, but Marasigan and Luis Pablo both missed their attempts in the closing seconds, and the former's potential go-ahead three-pointer also rimming before time expired.
Cortez paced La Salle with 16 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Pablo added 12 points and six rebounds. Mike Phillips chipped in eight points and 12 boards.
The Scores:
UP 66 — Abadiano 17, Nnoruka 13, Remogat 12, Stevens 8, Bayla 6, Alarcon 5, Felicilda 3, Fortea 2, Yñiguez 0, Alter 0, Belmonte 0, Torres 0.
La Salle 63 — Cortez 16, Pablo 12, Marasigan 8, Phillips 8, Macalalag 7, Abadam 4, Gollena 3, Dungo 3, Amos 2, Baclaan 0, Nwankwo 0, Daep 0.
Quarterscore: 13–20, 35–33, 49–47, 66–63.
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