John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

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UAAP88 MBB- Jacob Cortez-0977

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764156050348UAAP88 MBB- Jacob Cortez-0977.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>La Salle&#x27;s Jacob Cortez in action. UAAP Media</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — De La Salle University has completed the Final Four cast in the UAAP Season 88 collegiate men&#x27;s basketball tournament.The Green Archers rallied past archrival Ateneo de Manila University, 78-72, to take the last semifinals spot, forging a duel with National University in the next round on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.They eliminated Ateneo as well as Far Eastern University in the process.Seeking to get the job done, Jacob Cortez nailed a gutsy clutch jumper just inside the arc that created a 76-72 separation from Ateneo with 12.4 seconds left, just after stealing the ball from the Blue Eagles.&quot;For that shot, I&#x27;m doing that since I was a kid, you know,&quot; said Cortez, reflecting on that dagger jumpshot that struck the Ateneo faithful&#x27;s hearts.Mike Phillips, seizing the moment for La Salle, found the steal off the inbound pass by Jadem Lazo — the Blue Eagles&#x27; second straight turnover — and the duty foul off Dom Escobar, 10.9 seconds remaining.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/11/25/uaap-la-salle-guns-for-final-4-ticket-ateneo-fights-for-survival-1845">READ: UAAP: La Salle guns for Final 4 ticket, Ateneo fights for survival</a></div>The big man then completed his heroics by going 2-of-2 on his trip to the line for a 78-72 cushion — just their biggest lead in the game, marking La Salle&#x27;s entry to the semis.But before that, they needed to chop down an 11-point lead that the Blue Eagles installed, and buck an ejection on Vhoris Marasigan, who had to exit the court after a disqualifying foul on Divine Adili, 2:34 on the fourth quarter clock.Leading the winning cause was Cortez, who finished strong with 20 points, three rebounds, and seven assists, as Phillips provided the stability and a massive double-double of 13 points and 16 rebounds.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/11/26/uaap-feu-keeps-slim-f4-hopes-alive-by-escaping-ust-1636">READ: UAAP: FEU keeps slim Final 4 hopes alive by escaping UST</a></div>Marasigan, before leaving, already had 12 points and three assists, while Luis Pablo had nine points and two blocks.On the other hand, the Blue Eagles were on pace to forcing playoff games for the No. 4 spot, at least for the first thirty minutes, but could not complete the win as they miss the Final Four for second season in a row.One-and-done Escobar poured in 18 points and four rebounds, while another one-season player Kymani Ladi had a 13-7 statline for coach Tab Baldwin and company.

La Salle forges a semis duel with NU Bulldogs, marking its entry to the UAAP Final Four #UAAPSeason88

La Salle forges a semis duel with NU Bulldogs, marking its entry to the UAAP Final Four #UAAPSeason88

UAAP: La Salle completes Final 4 cast, eliminates Ateneo, FEU

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UAAP: La Salle completes Final 4 cast, eliminates Ateneo, FEU

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 26, 2025 07:29 PM PHT

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Updated Nov 26, 2025 08:12 PM PHT

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Ateneo Blue Eagles

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