The UP Fighting Maroons banish the ghost of past Finals, taking down La Salle in Game 3 to win the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball championship.
The UP Fighting Maroons have broken through once again, winning their first title since 2022 after beating the DLSU Green Archers in cardiac fashion, 66-62, in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
One-and-done big man Quentin Millora-Brown nailed two pressure-filled free throws with 11.3 ticks left to push UP’s lead to a two-possession advantage, enough to hold on for the monumental victory despite squandering a 14-point lead in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Francis Lopez, who was the source of multiple late-game miscues in their Game 2 loss, redeemed himself with a clutch three-pointer late that gave the Fighting Maroons breathing room.
Lopez hit a booming triple to push UP’s lead to four, 64-60, with 1:12 remaining.
Prior to that, La Salle was within a point after a Lian Ramiro basket, 61-60, with 1:31 left. His basket broke a 5-minute scoring drought for both teams.
But Lopez, in a redemption game for the Fighting Maroons, helped save the day for the Diliman-based squad.
Millora-Brown’s free throws were crucial as La Salle also drew a foul in the next possession with 4.6 left. However, both free throws were missed by EJ Gollena, and UP secured the rebound to seal the win.
Millora-Brown was the top scorer for UP with 14 points to go along with 10 rebounds — eight of which were offensive boards.