AT A TIME when the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers are facing their toughest stretch, the reigning champions University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons aim to relive their championship success against a depleted rival.
It’s Taft versus Diliman this Sunday — marking the first finals rematch in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament — and the narrative of this clash keeps getting more compelling.
Both teams had rocky beginnings, but one has begun to find its rhythm, while the other continues to battle inconsistency — further worsened by major injuries and the loss of crucial players.
With pride and redemption at stake, the Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers are set to clash in the final game of the first round — a crucial showdown for both squads — at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
History Behind Us
For two consecutive seasons, DLSU and UP have battled each other on the tournament’s biggest stage. It wasn’t one-sided, though, as each squad managed to claim a championship over the other.
In Season 86, the Green Archers — led by Kevin Quiambao — overcame a rough start and powered their way to a title. A year later in Season 87, it was JD Cagulangan who led the Fighting Maroons to revenge and championship glory.
Now with both of these key figures no longer part of their respective lineups, the challenge for each team has been to carve out a new identity without them — a task that initially proved difficult.
Still, in the 2025 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, when the two teams crossed paths again, UP stormed back to eliminate DLSU in the semifinals, 83-78, and went on to capture their third straight title in the preseason tourney.
With momentum building and adjustments starting to click, Sunday’s matchup will serve as a crucial litmus test for both teams’ title aspirations. It’s more than just a rematch — it’s a battle for dominance, identity, and pride.
TAFT Situation
Currently, it’s La Salle that finds itself in a tough position, having unexpectedly lost two key players in Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan — both sidelined by unfortunate MCL tears suffered in consecutive games.
With that, the responsibility now falls heavier on the shoulders of Jacob Cortez and Mike Phillips to step up for the team. Still, the spotlight doesn’t faze Cortez, as a player of his caliber tends to thrive even more in moments like these.
Right after Baclaan was stretchered off the court in their previous game, Cortez took charge during the final minutes of regulation and into overtime, finishing with 26 points — 16 of those coming in the last eight minutes — along with five assists and four steals.
“Excited, of course,” Cortez said when asked about his thought on the match. “Before I was [just] watching these La Salle-UP games, La Salle-Ateneo, but now I finally get a chance to play against them. I’m just looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile, for Phillips, these setbacks may be major, but the trust they have in their system will be just as important moving forward. Going up against a team that’s hitting its stride, preparation will be the key to putting up a strong performance.
“We’re going to really prepare. I’ll put my trust in our coaches to really prepare and know it’s going to be a good game,” Phillips said, after their 111-110 overtime win against the UE Red Warriors.
Right Back UP
UP began the season at the bottom of the standings after dropping their first two games. Since then, the squad has caught fire, racking up four straight wins that have propelled them to the third seed in the rankings.
While La Salle may be going through a rough stretch, Fighting Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon remains wary and refuses to let his team count them out. With a full week of preparation since their last outing, UP knows they’ll need to come out firing.
“We cannot be too high and too low approaching the game,” Luanzon said. “The preparation is always the same regardless of who we play, but you cannot discount the fact that it’s going up against a rival team.”
“We played them in the finals. I think what’s important for the players is paano nila i-prepare ‘yung katawan at isip nila, and just be focused more importantly mentally, sa lahat ng preparations namin papasok ng larong ‘yon,” he added.
For Harold Alarcon — who led UP to a 69-66 win over the FEU Tamaraws with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals — what he wants his team to understand is that leadership doesn’t always have to be vocal; it can be shown through consistent action.
“Ako kasi, hindi ako masyadong vocal na player. Pinapakita ko lang siya through my actions. Pinapakita ko lang siya sa ensayo, sa game. Dun makikita nila ano ako as a leader,” Alarcion said.
Fun Times Ahead
With the first round nearing its close, both DLSU and UP are fully aware of the stakes riding on this matchup. The Green Archers currently sit on a 3-3 win-loss record and have a chance to even the slate if they manage to defeat the 4-2 Fighting Maroons.
A victory for DLSU could also swing the momentum in their favor and deliver a crucial morale boost heading into the second round. For UP, it’s an opportunity to cement their place among the league’s top contenders and keep their upward surge alive.
Though bruised and battered, the Green Archers are far from being written off. The question now is whether their remaining core can rise to the challenge and stay consistent against top-tier competition.
On the other end, the Fighting Maroons have found their rhythm, leaning on a well-balanced offense and a solid defensive identity. Their depth continues to be their strength and the source of their confidence going into Sunday’s showdown.
With everything on the line — and the UAAP season heating up — the 4:30 p.m. clash between the UP Fighting Maroons and the DLSU Green Archers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum is shaping up to be one of the defining games of the first round.
