Francis Lopez redeems self, drains big 3 as UP breaks runner-up curse to dethrone La Salle
MANILA, Philippines – After two straight silver-laden seasons, the UP Fighting Maroons are finally back on a golden path after dethroning the La Salle Green Archers with a 66-62 finals Game 3 escape at the conclusion of the rollercoaster UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball wars on Sunday, December 15.
In their rise back atop the UAAP landscape, the mighty Maroons clinched their fourth overall men’s basketball title and second in the last four seasons after making history back in Season 84 in 2022.
Francis Lopez, after multiple Game 2 miscues and 9 turnovers in Game 3, fully redeemed the errors of his ways with a booming, wide-open three at the 1:12 mark to create a 64-60 cushion that UP never relinquished in front of a record crowd of 25,248.
The former Rookie of the Year finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.
One-and-done star Quentin Millora-Brown gave everything on the floor with a 14-point, 10-board double-double, 8 coming on the offensive end, as fellow veteran JD Cagulangan also ended his collegiate career with 12 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds in 36 minutes.
Taking control at intermission with a slight 42-36 edge, UP broke the game wide open in yet another strong third quarter with a 12-4 run, ending with 7 straight Gerry Abadiano points for the 54-40 lead at the 4:59 mark.
Two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao, however, once again showcased his usual magic, capping a 16-2 run bridging to the early goings of the fourth for the 56-all tie off a booming triple.
Scoring came few and far in between in the succeeding possessions, with JD Cagulangan sinking a tiebreaking three with 6:55 left, 61-58, followed by a Lian Ramiro layup at the 1:31 mark, five whole game minutes later, 61-60, before Lopez scorched La Salle’s comeback hope with his killer trey.
The Scores
UP 66 – Millora-Brown 14, Cagulangan 12, Lopez 12, Abadiano 9, Alarcon 7, Fortea 4, Stevens 4, Torres 2, Ududo 2, Torculas 0, Felicilda 0, Bayla 0.
La Salle 62 – M. Phillips 18, Quiambao 13, Macalalag 6, David 6, Agunanne 5, Ramiro 5, Austria 3, Gollena 2, Rubico 2, Dungo 2, Gonzales 0, Marasigan 0.
Quarters: 21-21, 42-36, 56-50, 66-62.
– Rappler.com