MANILA – The De La Salle University Green Archers reclaimed their spot in the UAAP men's basketball finals, defeating the National University Bulldogs in a commanding 97-73 victory at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
Mark Nonoy led the Green Archers with 20 points, while MVP frontrunner Kevin Quiambao added 17 points and eight rebounds. Evan Nelle and Mike Phillips contributed 15 and 11 points, respectively, with Phillips also grabbing 10 rebounds.
"We came into this game knowing NU would bring their best," said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson. "Coach Jeff Napa and the rest of the NU coaching staff have done an amazing job this season, and we knew we had to play hard to earn our way to the finals."
La Salle trailed by just seven points at halftime, 47-40, but exploded in the second half with a decisive run that extended their lead to as many as 24 points. The Bulldogs fought back, but La Salle proved too strong and held on for the convincing victory.
Jake Figueroa led NU with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Mike Malonzo added 13 points.
The Green Archers' victory extends their winning streak to nine games, dating back to the elimination round. They will now face the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Finals, a matchup that marks the first time these two teams have met for the championship since La Salle joined the league in 1986.
This is also La Salle's first Finals appearance since 2017, when they lost in three games to the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The Finals series will begin on Wednesday.
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