DLSU stuns UP to draw first blood in UAAP Season 88 hoops finals

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

In the words of Russell Crowe during Gladiator’s fight scene: “Are you not entertained?”

Talking about a mano-a-mano grand finals series, Game 1 between the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers and the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons lived up to everyone’s expectations, trading lead changes, countering each other’s tactical adjustments, and putting on a full display of high-level basketball.

However, the hoopers from Taft got the last laugh and inched closer to reclaiming glory after pulling off a come-from-behind Game 1 victory over the Fighting Maroons, 74-70, on Dec. 10, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

‘HAROLD TOO COLD’

Expected to deliver as one of the most experienced finals players from both teams, the Green Archers had to escape an unconscious start from UP superstar Harold Alarcon, who just couldn’t be stopped after torching DLSU with 20 big points in the first half.

The cold-blooded scoring machine took every DLSU defender thrown at him to school, dancing on every green shirt he met in the isolation island that steered the Fighting Maroons to a 36-33 advantage at the half.

It was all about hunting the matchups for UP, as they located Alarcon every time he set foot in his sweet spot and let him operate.

‘DLSU HAD ANSWERS’

Despite Alarcon’s impressive offensive masterclass, the Green Archers never rattled and answered with their own version of haymakers, courtesy of a much-needed scoring lift from Doy Dungo.

The two-way guard embraced the bright lights of the UAAP’s grand final stage, exploding for nine points in the first quarter alone, which kept the Green Archers afloat.

Dungo barely played during their Final Four matchup against the NU Bulldogs but made the most out of his opportunity, paying off the trust of the DLSU coaching staff with a heroic outing.

Aside from Dungo, the returning Kean Baclaan also produced when DLSU needed him most, scoring the leather while also directing traffic in the drive-and-kick.

‘UP WIDENS GAP’

Both schools answered each other’s baskets at the start of a wild third frame, with Jacob Cortez attacking UP’s paint while the defending champions relied on Alarcon and the athleticism of Francis Nnoruka, who came up big in the second half.

However, UP received a huge personal 5-0 scoring run from veteran forward Reyland Torres and a couple of perimeter fadeaways from Ilonggo guard Gerry Abadiano, which mounted the Fighting Maroons’ biggest lead of the game to nine points, 58-49.

‘THE WIND CHANGES’

Just when UP thought it could hold on to its lead for a long period of time, the Green Archers played spoiler after tightening the defensive coverage that made it hard for the Fighting Maroons to replicate their high-octane attack in the first half.

In the next four minutes of the final canto, DLSU unleashed a demoralizing 13-5 scoring run to pull within a point, 62-63.

‘UNSUNG HERO STEPS UP’

Out of all the DLSU players, it was former Fighting Maroon Luis Pablo who tormented his previous school, putting up a performance for the ages when he held the fort for the Green Archers with his rebounding and shot blocking.

More importantly, it was Pablo’s quick float shot from the right baseline that helped DLSU retake the lead, 70-68, putting the Green Archers ahead for good.

During the wild three-minute clutch stretch, Pablo swatted away two UP attempts and hauled down crucial rebounds that swung the momentum in favor of the Green Archers.

‘COOL CUB ICES THE GAME’

With 33.7 seconds left and DLSU trying to secure the home run, who would you give the ball to?

Nothing new for the Green Archers, as Cortez once again delivered in the clutch, denying the Fighting Maroons a Game 1 victory after draining the biggest three-pointer of the game to increase DLSU’s lead to four points, 74-70.

Shades of his clutch genes against NU and Ateneo once again filled the SM Mall of Asia Arena as the son of UAAP legend Mike Cortez added UP’s Torres to his list of defending victims.

After a quick crossover dribble to his left to create separation, Cortez sent UP home with his signature step-back three-pointer, forcing head coach Goldwin Monteverde to call a desperation timeout.

Unfortunately, the Fighting Maroons failed to execute down the stretch, en route to a DLSU Game 1 victory.

For the second consecutive game, Cortez led DLSU in scoring, dropping a 21-point performance built from an efficient 10-of-15 shooting from the field.

Dungo, who was instrumental in keeping the game close, added 15 markers, while Baclaan chipped in nine points and six assists.

On the other hand, the Green Archers spoiled Alarcon’s 34-point eruption, a new career-best derived from an efficient 12-of-22 shooting from the field.

The Green Archers will look to finish their business on Dec. 14, 2025, while the Fighting Maroons seek to bounce back and even the grand final series at 1-all.