DLSU completes UAAP revenge tour, dethrones UP in epic Game 3 slugfest

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers just received their best gift of the Christmas season.

In front of a raucous 23,778 fans who flocked to the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Green Archers just reclaimed their throne, deposing the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 80–72, during the win-or-go-home Game 3 Finals in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Dec. 17, 2025.

Snatch season completed.

After losing Game 3 last year, DLSU got what they wanted, saving their best for last to return the UAAP golden trophy to Taft and cap off Season 88 with sweet revenge against their archrivals UP.

Sixteen lead changes, six deadlocks, and countless chess match counters over four grueling quarters summed up another classic DLSU-UP rivalry. But this time, it was the green nation that got the last laugh.

Despite the disappointing Game 2 result, when they let their lead slip away, the Green Archers entered the final game of the championship series with the mindset of finishing strong until the official match buzzer sounded.

You can never ask for a better do-or-die Game 3 like that.

A seesaw affair with both teams not giving an inch, a title on the line, to define a legacy.

UP may have replicated its come-from-behind effort midway through Game 3 after erasing DLSU’s nine-point lead, but the Topex Robinson-led squad knew that a Fighting Maroon storm would be coming, and they came prepared.

In the pivotal fourth quarter, where all the stats don’t count and the contest is all about heart, the Green Archers showed more grit, tenacity, and efficient shot-making as they stunned UP with an 11–2 run that set the tone for an ideal finish.

However, UP came back once again, banking on Rey Remogat’s 3-point shooting and a couple of free throws from Harold Alarcon that helped the Fighting Maroons take a slim three-point lead, 67–64.

When the Green Archers needed someone to step up, it was Vhoris Marasigan who embraced the bright lights, scoring five consecutive points that put DLSU back in the driver’s seat.

Unfortunately, in the most crucial stretch of the fourth, UP collapsed in an uncharacteristic way, committing successive fouls on a DLSU squad that was already over the limit, while rewarding the Green Archers with several possessions due to turnovers.

DLSU then took advantage of UP’s erratic stretch, closing out Game 3 in style with a 16–8 run to seal the deal and stand in the middle of the podium.

Graduating senior Mike Phillips gave his maximum effort in his last game wearing the DLSU threads, tallying a monster 25-point outing alongside 18 rebounds, which was more than enough for him to be named Finals Most Valuable Player.

Mason Amos also found the perfect bounce-back performance, delivering 11 points, four assists, three rebounds, and three blocks, while Jacob Cortez added nine points, five rebounds, and three dimes.

The Animo spirit is back! Congratulations, DLSU!