UP snaps 4-game UAAP losing streak against La Salle and the Fighting Maroons draw first blood in the Season 87 men's basketball Finals.
The UP Fighting Maroons clamped down on La Salle in the second half to gain the advantage in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Finals, taking the 73-65 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
Quentin Millora-Brown came out with a UAAP career-high 17 points to power UP past the defending champion Green Archers, as the Fighting Maroons now move one win away from the chip. This is UP's fourth straight Finals Game 1 win since UAAP Season 84.
It was also the Fighting Maroons' first win over La Salle in the UAAP since Game 1 of last year's Finals, snapping a four-game skid.
UP was trailing at the halftime break, 37-41, before outscoring La Salle 17-9 in the third canto. Gerry Abadiano drilled the dagger triple to push UP’s lead to seven, 70-63, with 40 seconds left.
Despite Mike Phillips scoring in the next possession for La Salle, UP did its finishing work at the free throw line courtesy of makes from Harold Alarcon and JD Cagulangan.
The Fighting Maroons will hope to close out the series and win their first title since UAAP Season 84 in Game 2 on Wednesday, December 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.