Mental toughness is the name of the game for the defending champion De La Salle University.

With the crowd going delirious and everyone on the edge of their seats, Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals provided the fans, the players, and the team staff all sorts of drama and tension that could go down as one of the league's classics.

The Green Archers did prevail by the skin of their teeth, 76-75, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, and forced a sudden death on Sunday, Dec. 15.

“Seeing the crowd, the UP crowd was all over the place when we were making mistakes and we said this experience will never happen again,” said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson after La Salle forced a do-or-die against UP.

The rapturous fans – mostly coming from the UP side – did little to rattle the Taft-based squad in crunchtime as it displayed poise and great endgame character.

It was all about the trust and confidence given to each other -- within the bounds of their bench, under the guidance of Robinson.

“We're not going to let the worries of the future or the regret of the past stop us from enjoying it,” he added. “With that circle, we protect each other. If you're not part of that circle, that means whatever it is that you say or you do will not affect us… that bond just keeps us getting stronger together.”

"The reason why you play the finals is for these kinds of moments. You prepare for those moments and nobody could take that away from you. We just keep on enjoying it."

And it worked well as the Green Archers held on tight despite the pressure given by the rallying Maroons.

“What happened in that fourth quarter, in those last three minutes of  the game, was just so beautiful,” Robinson continued.

“This is very good, very amazing. I just want to give all my praise to the crowd, the De La Salle crowd,” added Mike Phillips. “My ears were ringing. I got goosebumps when I looked at the crowd.”