La Salle yields title to Korea U in World University Basketball tiff
At A Glance
- De La Salle came up short of completing its two-peat bid after succumbing to Korea University, 95-85, in the finals of the 2025 World University Basketball Series at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan Monday, Aug. 11.
La Salle's Mike Phillips (WUBS)
De La Salle came up short of completing its two-peat bid after succumbing to Korea University, 95-85, in the finals of the 2025 World University Basketball Series at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan Monday, Aug. 11.
The Green Archers withstood a rough first half before Mike Phillips spearheaded a fourth-quarter surge where they cut a 51-75 deficit to just 12, 79-91, with more than a minute left.
But the lead was too big to handle in such a short time, resulting to the Koreans avenging their runner-up finish last year to the same squad.
The 6-foot-8 Phillips erupted with a double-double performance of 30 points and 12 rebounds on top of six assists, one steal and one block, but it was not enough to douse the fire of the Koreans.
Keann Baclaan and Jacob Cortez also finished with 18 and 13 points, respectively, in a losing cause.
Yun Kichan, meanwhile, paced Korea U after scattering 20 of his 26 points in the first half, while Moon Yu Hyeon added 21 points.
Prior to the title defeat, La Salle survived Chinese Taipei’s National Chengchi University (89-84) in the first round then notched an 88-75 semifinal win over Japan University Select Team.
Meanwhile, Nippon Sport Science University turned back compatriots University selection, 86-72, to claim the bronze medal.