Last dance at big dome

And it boils down to one last dance.

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion La Salle and host University of the Philippines waltz at center court in a winner-take-all duel for the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball crown today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

What was supposed to be a sweep if not for a massive meltdown by the Maroons reaches boiling point at 5:30 p.m. with the Archers out to pounce on the momentum of a stellar 76-75 comeback win in Game 2 to complete a back-to-back title feat.

Santo Tomas seeks the same mission in the women’s side at 1 p.m. after denying former seven-peat champion National U’s perfect 16-0 championship bid in Game 2, 78-68, as the Tiger Cubs go for a sweep against the UE Junior Red Warriors at 10 a.m. in the boys’ finals.

But all eyes are on the Archers and the Maroons.

Would it be second straight and 11th title overall for Taft? Or could the Diliman-based dribblers transform a heartbreaking defeat to an added fire and bring home their second title in four straight finals appearances?

Nothing is cast in stone but both squads assured their readiness to go, regardless of an expected sold-out crowd and especially with the familiarity of a winner-take-all setto for the second straight season.

“We’re just going to be approaching it the way we used to approach it. This is the second time we’re going to play in a Game 3 and at this point, we don’t have to worry about it yet,” said La Salle mentor Topex Robinson, banking on back-to-back MVP Kevin Quiambao and Michael Phillips to show the way anew.

“We’re so grateful that we got to see another day and get to play another game of championship. The crowd will be crazy but that’s what we’re here for. You prepare for these moments and nobody could take that away from you. We just have to keep enjoying it.”

The Archers, after a 73-65 loss in Game 1, made it happen by uncorking a 10-2 ender on UP to erase a 66-73 deficit in the final three minutes behind Quiambao’s heroics. Now, they brace for an uprising for the ages from the Maroons.

“Ang importante lang from here on is paano kami magba-bounce back,” vowed Maroons mentor Goldwin Monteverde, refusing to live on the foiled championship chance in Game 2.

“Basketball is basketball. Minsan mananalo, minsan matatalo. Ang importante, ‘yung bangon. Alam naman namin na hindi pa tapos ang series. We just have to keep our heads up and get ready for Game 3.”

To do that, UP will have a much-needed lift with the availability of forward Reyland Torres after escaping suspension from his two unsportsmanlike fouls and an ejection in Game 2 to complete a potent and still capable squad with JD Cagulangan, Quentin Millora-Brown, Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon and Lebron Lopez.

It was Lopez who missed four straight free throws and had a costly turnover in a one-point game that could have given back the lead to UP, and possibly the title. For him, Game 3 is all that matters now.

“It’s no excuse. I just missed it. I can do nothing about it (but) move on. We still have a Game 3 and we still have another opportunity. We’re gonna be focused on that one,” he promised.