Romwel Anzures

De La Salle University star Jacob Cortez in action against National University‘s Paul Francisco in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final 4. 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/1765013876284UAAP 88 MBB F4 DLSU vs. NU- Jacob Cortez-8869.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>De La Salle University star Jacob Cortez in action against National University‘s Paul Francisco in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo from UAAP Media.</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — After an eventful, drama-filled ride, De La Salle University and University of the Philippines are still the last two squads left standing in UAAP men&#x27;s basketball for the third straight year.The Green Archers have defied the odds, completing their upset of top-seeded National University via a 78-73 victory in the Season 88 men&#x27;s basketball Final 4 on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.Jacob Cortez made this possible, taking over in crunch time en route to his 29 points, four rebounds, and four assists as he returned to the Finals stage two years after he steered San Beda University to NCAA Season 99 championship glory.&quot;We all worked hard for this moment,&quot; said Cortez, of the Taft-based cagers who crawled back from an 11-point victory against the Bulldogs.&quot;What you guys saw was my shots, but my teammates and coaches also made this possible,&quot; he added. This was indeed the case, as also vital in the win were Earl Abadam&#x27;s 14 points, Vhoris Marasigan&#x27;s 10 markers, and Mike Phillips&#x27; eight-point, 10-rebound outing.Yet it was Cortez who hit the most important shots down the stretch, with the first-year La Salle guard draining the go-ahead three-pointer at the 1:40 mark to put La Salle on top, 72-71.PJ Palacielo then tied the game through his split from the 15-foot stripe, but Cortez quickly answered with another basket for a 74-72 lead. While Cortez committed a costly foul on Jolo Manansala from beyond the arc with only five seconds left, Steve Nash Enriquez could not capitalize on his substitute free throws, and Mason Amos then put the game to bed by extending their lead to five as the buzzer sounded.On the other hand, Jake Figueroa led the Bulldogs with 21 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block, and providing inside presence was Palacielo who marked 13 points, but these weren&#x27;t enough to salvage NU&#x27;s twice-to-beat edge.Manansala also finished with 13 points on top of four rebounds before he prematurely exited the contest in the dying seconds after a bad fall. He was stretchered off the hardwood but eventually was able to walk on his own.<div> </div><div>The Scores:</div>La Salle 78 – Cortez 29, Abadam 14, Marasigan 10, Phillips 8, Macalalag 8, Baclaan 4, Amos 3, Pablo 2, Gollena 0.National U 73 – Figueroa 21, Manansala 13, Palacielo 13, John 6, Padrones 6, Jumamoy 5, Garcia 4, Parks 4, Enriquez 1, Santiago 0, Francisco 0, Tulabut 0.Quarterscores: 14-20, 30-36, 53-54, 78-73.

After an eventful, drama-filled ride, De La Salle University and University of the Philippines are still the last two squads left standing in #UAAP men’s basketball for the third straight year.

After an eventful, drama-filled ride, De La Salle University and University of the Philippines are still the last two squads left standing in #UAAP men’s basketball for the third straight year.

UAAP: Cortez takes over as La Salle ousts National U, sets up trilogy against UP

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UAAP: Cortez takes over as La Salle ousts National U, sets up trilogy against UP

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 06, 2025 06:01 PM PHT

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Updated December 06, 2025 07:33 PM PHT

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Basketball

UAAP

ABSSports

UAAP Season 88

UAAP Basketball

UAAP Final 4

NU Bulldogs

De La Salle Green Archers

Jacob Cortez

UP Fighting Maroons

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