La Salle Secures Crucial Victory Over Defending Champions to Boost Final Four Hopes

In a thrilling encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, La Salle delivered a resilient performance to overcome reigning champions UP with an 87-82 comeback win in UAAP Season 88 men's basketball. Despite trailing by as much as 16 points, the Green Archers executed a pivotal 9-0 run in the final four minutes to secure the victory, halting a damaging three-game losing streak that threatened their playoff aspirations.

The win pushes La Salle to a 7-6 record, placing them firmly in fourth place and keeping their fate in their own hands amidst a tight race involving Adamson (6-7), Far Eastern University (6-7), and Ateneo (5-7). This game also marked the return of Mason Amos, who had been sidelined with an MCL injury earlier in the tournament.

UP suffered their first defeat in the second round, concluding their campaign at 10-4, while National University leads the standings at 11-2, virtually securing the top seed.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University kept their Final Four hopes alive after a hard-fought 84-77 win over the University of the East. The Tamaraws established a comfortable lead of up to 16 points but had to withstand a late rally by the Red Warriors, who remain winless at 0-14 after their second consecutive loss.