Ilonggo guard Abadiano helps UP drag DLSU to a do-or-die UAAP Finals

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Gerry Abadiano delivered when UP needed him the most.

Fighting to live another day for a chance at defending their crown, Ilonggo guard Gerry Abadiano put the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons on his back after unleashing a clutch performance during Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball grand finals.

On Dec. 14, 2025, the pride of Molo, Iloilo, displayed a cold-blooded mid-range clinic that broke the hearts of the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 66-63, helping UP revive its hopes of a back-to-back UAAP championship.

The fight is not yet over.

After squandering a nine-point lead in Game 1, UP gave DLSU a dose of its own medicine when it came back from a seven-point deficit in Game 2, setting up a highly anticipated winner-take-all Game 3.

For all the marbles, the UP-DLSU UAAP grand finals series never fails to disappoint. Highlighted by thrilling deadlocks, lead changes, and a high-level chess match that has already lasted for three consecutive years, every collegiate hoops fan can’t wait to see what’s in store in the upcoming rubber match.

DLSU’s Jacob Cortez may have answered the call in Game 1, but Abadiano responded to the continuous ringing like an agent who already predicted the memo.

Tied at 59-all with only 2:35 remaining in Game 2, Abadiano went berserk for UP, draining three consecutive clutch middies that put the Fighting Maroons ahead for good until the final buzzer.

Abadiano kicked off his heroics after using the Gani Stevens screen to free himself up at the left elbow, cashing in a pull-up perimeter jumper that put UP back in the driver’s seat, 61-59.

The Ilonggo scoring bingo didn’t end and felt like an eternity of agony for the Green Archers, as Abadiano took JC Macalalag’s defense to school with another jumper for a three-point lead, 63-60.

Vhoris Marasigan rekindled the Animo spirit in the raucous SMART Araneta Coliseum after his aggressive drive pulled DLSU to within a point, 63-62, but no matter what defensive coverage they ran to slow down Abadiano, the graduating guard still delivered and put the final nail in the coffin.

With only 1:09 remaining in regulation, UP executed an off-the-curl play for Abadiano, who popped out at the top of the key after delivering the inbound pass to Rey Remogat.

As soon as Abadiano navigated through Francis Nnoruka and Jacob Bayla’s double-screen action, Remogat threw a bounce pass to the trailing guard, who set his foot in his sweet spot.

After three dribbles to his right, Abadiano rose for the clutch perimeter jumper, which kissed the net just like it was a 2K game on sliders.

A little late-game drama took place when an unnecessary technical foul was whistled on UP’s Sean Alter, which awarded DLSU a freebie point at the charity stripe.

Despite the cashed-in free throw, DLSU still trailed by a deuce but had a chance to tie or take the lead. Unfortunately, Marasigan’s courageous three-point attempt rimmed out, forcing the Green Archers to foul Nnoruka, who split his attempts at the line.

DLSU had to rush down the other end without any timeouts left to generate a miraculous heave, but the Luis Pablo-EJ Gollena connection was well defended by UP.

Abadiano capped off his stellar Game 2 outing with 17 points built from an efficient 7-of-14 shooting from the field.

Also having a huge impact for the Fighting Maroons was Nnoruka, tallying a monster double-double outing of 13 markers and 13 rebounds, while the rejuvenated Remogat added 12 points.

“Cguro mas gutom lang talaga kaming manalo,” said Abadiano during the post-game interview.

“Talo kami nung Game 1. Syempre last year na, ayoko naman na last year na at hindi ko pa ibibigay yung pinaka best ko. Yung experience na nakuha namin last championship, ang laking bagay nun para sa akin. At para sa mga teammates ko na ma-she-share ko sa kanila yung Game 3 sa Wednesday.”

Will UP run it back and hold the golden trophy again? Or will the Green Archers regroup at the perfect time to complete their revenge tour?