Maroons turn back Archers

MANILA, Philippines -- University of the Philippines fended off the La Salle Green Archers’ furious comeback, holding on to an 80-76 win Sunday in last season’s UAAP finals rematch at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Fighting Maroons squandered a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter, but La Salle ran out of gas late. 

Rey Remogat top-scored for UP with 20 points and four rebounds. Veejay Pre added 19 markers while Elliot Dimaculangan had 11. 

UP led by 14, 67-53, in the fourth quarter after a 3-pointer by Pre. 

But a massive 20-5 run by the Green Archers, capped by a triple by Jacob Cortez, pushed La Salle within one, 73-72, with 2:43 left. 

However, the Fighting Maroons fought back, unleashing a 7-0 run of their own thanks to free throws by Dikachi Ududo, Pre, Elliot Dimaculangan and James Payosing, as well as a Pre jumper to go up 79-73. 

An and-one play by Luis Pablo, though, sliced the deficit in half, 76-79, with 16.6 seconds remaining. 

A split from the line by Remogat put the game out of reach, 80-76, with 5.9 ticks to go. 

Doy Dungo’s corner trey then went in and out as the clock melted. 

Jacob Bayla added eight points in the UP win. 

JC Macalalag powered La Salle with 17 points and an assist. Pablo backstopped with 14 markers, nine boards, two blocks and a steal. 

Dungo and Cortez produced 12 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Green Archers. 

UP rose to 3-2, while La Salle dropped to 3-3.