Romwel Anzures

De La Salle University captain Mike Phillips slams the ball against Francis Nnoruka in Round 2 of UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball, November 22, 2025, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. Photo from UAAP Media.

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<div style="line-height:1.5"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763810439279UAAP 88 MBB UP vs. DLSU- Mike Phillips-6915.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>De La Salle University captain Mike Phillips slams the ball against Francis Nnoruka in Round 2 of UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball, November 22, 2025, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. Photo from UAAP Media.</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — De La Salle University notched a statement victory over University of the Philippines to stay in the top four picture as the UAAP Season 88 men&#x27;s basketball Final 4 race nears its end.The Green Archers came alive in the final period for an 87-82 win on Saturday in front of 10,160 fans at the Araneta Coliseum for their seventh win in 13 games, and to repeat over the Fighting Maroons this season.Leading the Taft-based cagers was Mike Phillips who had 21 points, 14 rebounds, a steal, and a block, while Vhoris Marasigan stepped up by scoring 15 of his 17 markers in the second half. &quot;We&#x27;re coming off a three-game losing streak, but what really transpired was their will to win,&quot; hailed La Salle coach Topex Robinson, who also drew 14 points, four rebounds, a steal, and clutch baskets from Jacob Cortez.&quot;UP will always give you a good fight, but these guys answered that challenge,&quot; added Robinson after completing their 16-point fightback as they faced a 6-22 deficit early in the contest.La Salle also welcomed Mason Amos after he missed seven games due to an MCL sprain, but saw EJ Gollena prematurely exit the game late in the first quarter due to his Flagrant 2 on Francis Nnoruka. Amos finished with three points, three assists, and three rebounds, and he also had a +/- of +21 in 22:18 minutes of action. Also crucial was Earl Abadam who stepped up in Gollena&#x27;s absence with 14.But while his presence factored in their comeback, it was Cortez and company who starred in their fourth-quarter surge.The former San Beda University star hit the go-ahead three-pointer for a 76-74 lead during their nine-to-nothing surge in the fourth canto, and this was despite him only shooting 3-of-14 from the field.Marasigan and Earl Abadam then went on to deliver the closing blows for La Salle, with the latter draining a deuce with only 33 ticks left to push their lead to its biggest at seven, 85-78, and that was all they needed to punch the win. On the other hand, the Fighting Maroons will be settling for the second seed — still with a twice-to-beat-advantage in the Final 4 — after they absorbed their fourth loss in 14 games, also their only loss in Round 2. This UP loss also secured National University the top seed in the postseason regardless of the result of the Bulldogs&#x27; bout against University of Santo Tomas tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena.Leading the Fighting Maroons was Noy Remogat who finished with a game-high 25 points with eight assists and six rebounds, Nnoruka contributed 14 markers and seven boards, while Gerry Abadiano and Gani Stevens each scored 12. <div> </div><div>The Scores: </div>La Salle 87 - Phillips 21, Marasigan 17, Abadam 14, Cortez 14, Dungo 8, Macalalag 6, Quines 4, Amos 3, Nwankwo 0, Pablo 0, Melencio 0, Gollena 0, Gomez 0. UP 82 - Remogat 25, Nnoruka 14, Abadiano 12, Stevens 12, Alarcon 8, Palanca 7, Fortea 2, Belmonte 2, Bayla 0, Alter 0, Torres 0, Yñiguez 0. Quarterscores: 15-26, 41-44, 59-58, 87-82.

La Salle notched a statement victory over UP to stay in the top four picture as the #UAAPSeason88 men’s basketball Final 4 race nears its end.

La Salle notched a statement victory over UP to stay in the top four picture as the #UAAPSeason88 men’s basketball Final 4 race nears its end.

UAAP: La Salle repeats over UP in thriller to stay in Top 4 picture

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UAAP: La Salle repeats over UP in thriller to stay in Top 4 picture

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 22, 2025 07:27 PM PHT

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Updated Nov 22, 2025 08:32 PM PHT

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Basketball

UAAP

ABSSports

UAAP Season 88

UAAP Basketball

UP Fighting Maroons

De La Salle Green Archers

Mason Amos

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