University of the Philippines’ Gerry Abadiano and De La Sale University’s Jacob Cortez in UAAP Season 88 men‘s basketball. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — University of the Philippines and De La Salle University will have a rare chance to finish what they started, as the powerhouse programs clash for UAAP men’s basketball glory for the third straight year.
On the men’s side, it is the first Finals trilogy in more than three decades — and only the second in the league’s Final 4 era — further raising the stakes in this storied showdown between the Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers.
UAAP history within reach for State U
UP has already cemented itself as a winner in the current decade, claiming two of its four UAAP championships in recent years — in Season 84 (2022) and Season 87 (2024) — but one thing that continues to elude the Diliman-based squad is a successful title defense.
While the Fighting Maroons previously won three straight NCAA titles back in 1924, 1925, and 1926, they have never captured back-to-back championships in the UAAP.
They came close in late 2022, but Ateneo de Manila University spoiled their party, with the Blue Eagles bringing the UAAP championship to their side of Katipunan.
Will this finally be the moment UP breaks that barrier?
READ: UP edges UST in cardiac finish to advance to 5th straight Final
Taft-side redemption: “Bring (it back) home!”
La Salle’s battle cry is straightforward: win back the title they lost to UP in Season 87.
What wasn’t simple, however, was the Green Archers' road to the Season 88 Finals.
Beyond dealing with the departure of La Salle superstar and two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao to Korea, Topex Robinson’s squad endured a string of hurdles.
Prized recruits Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan both suffered MCL tears initially feared as season-ending, while EJ Gollena and Vhoris Marasigan also missed time due to one-game suspensions.
READ: Cortez takes over as La Salle ousts National U, sets up trilogy against UP
And speaking of setbacks, remember how this trilogy is the first in almost three decades?
La Salle was also involved in the last time the UAAP saw three consecutive Finals between the same teams. However, the Green Archers were on the losing end of those showdowns, falling victim to University of Santo Tomas which swept their championship round meetings in 1994, 1995, and 1996.
Fortunately, the present La Salle squad already has one title to boast of in this present trilogy, and the Archers also have the chance to end this chapter on top this time around.
UP and La Salle open their best-of-three affair on Wednesday, December 10, 4:00 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
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