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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Cortez dazzles as Archers shoot down Bulldogs to forge Finals rematch vs Maroons

Cortez dazzles as Archers shoot down Bulldogs to forge Finals rematch vs Maroons

Published Dec 6, 2025 05:34 pm

At A Glance

  • Cortez delivered timely hits and powered De La Salle University to the Finals with a 78-73 win over National University in their do-or-die semifinals clash in the Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Dec. 6.
Jacob Cortez powers La Salle to UAAP Season 88 Finals. (UAAP Media)
Jacob Cortez powers La Salle to UAAP Season 88 Finals. (UAAP Media)
Jacob Cortez looked every bit of his father Mike from two decades ago the way he lifted De La Salle University back to the UAAP Finals.
Cortez delivered timely hits and powered De La Salle University to the Finals with a 78-73 win over National University in their do-or-die semifinals clash in the Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Dec. 6.
By tearing down NU’s twice-to-beat edge, La Salle earned a Finals date with reigning champion University of the Philippines, with their title quest kicking off Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The cat-quick guard erupted for 10 of his career-best 29 points in the payoff period, capped by back-to-back baskets and a free throw that pushed the Green Archers ahead, 75-72, with eight seconds left, denying the valiant efforts from Jake Figueroa and Reinhard Jumamoy for the Bulldogs.
The drama continued as Kean Baclaan coolly sank his pair of free throws, before Cortez committed a hard foul on Jolo Manansala, who had to be stretchered out. Steve Nash Enriquez added trips to the line, but NU simply ran out of time for another heartbreak in the semis.
By tearing down NU’s twice-to-beat edge, La Salle earned a Finals rematch with reigning champion University of the Philippines, with their title quest kicking off Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The two squads tangled in the last edition, where JD Cagulangan, Francis Lopez, and Quentin Millora-Brown paced the State U over the Kevin Quiambao-skippered La Salle in rubber match.
NU, on the other hand, bowed out as top seed with an 11-3 card and suffered the similar fate it sustained in Season 76 after succumbing twice to University of Santo Tomas.
It was an emotional return for La Salle in the finals after enduring a couple of setbacks, including injuries from Mason Amos and Baclaan as well as suspension from its players that pushed them down in the standings before settling for fourth place.
The victory also made it more special as Amos, Baclaan, and Cortez plunge into their first Finals with La Salle, along with captain Mike Phillips' final shot for a crown.
Aside from his best scoring night as a Green Archer, Cortez listed four rebounds, four assists, and one steal, while Earl Abadam and Vhoris Marasigan added 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Phillips had a quiet eight points, but managed to haul down 10 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. JC Macalalag had eight points, while Baclaan added four points.
Figueroa played his hearts out after collecting 21 points along with six rebounds, five assists, one block, and two steals, while Manansala and PJ Palacielo chipped in 13 points apiece for NU.
Omar John and Kenshin Padrones contributed six points each, Jumamoy got five points, which all went down the drain as the Bulldogs wrapped up their once promising campaign this season.
The scores:
DLSU 78 – Cortez 29, Abadam 14, Marasigan 10, Phillips 8, Macalalag 8, Baclaan 4, Amos 3, Pablo 2, Gollena 0.
NU 73 – Figueroa 21, Manansala 13, Palacielo 13, John 6, Padrones 6, Jumamoy 5, Garcia 4, Parks 4, Enriquez 1, Santiago 0, Francisco 0, Tulabut 0.
Quarters: 14-20, 30-36, 53-54, 78-73.

Related Tags

La Salle Green Archers NU Bulldogs UAAP Season 88
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