VHORIS Marasigan, of all people, stole the show for La Salle in its huge 87-82 triumph over University of the Philippines on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum to reboot its Final Four chase in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.
The third-year swingman came alive in the second half, dropping 14 of his 17 points in the final two quarters and punctuated the Green Archers' 11-2 windup to grab an 82-76 lead with 1:26 to play.
And this time, the Taft side made sure to never let go.
After Gerry Abadiano trimmed the deficit down to three, Jacob Cortez canned the technical free throw off of Francis Nnoruka's technical foul for delay of game, as Earl Abadam followed it up with the stepback jumper that made it an 85-78 game with 27.2 ticks left.
Though Abadiano made another triple and the Fighting Maroons forced a turnover on Mason Amos, Reyland Torres muffed his trey which led to Abadam locking up the win for La Salle with two charities in the last 12.2 seconds.
Marasigan shot 3-of-4 shooting from rainbow country, to go with three rebounds, and two assists to support Mike Phillips who had a routinary double-double to the tune of 21 points, 14 rebounds, and one block.
Abadam added 14 points and a pair of boards and assists, as Cortez overcame a horrid 3-of-14 shooting for 14 points and four rebounds.
La Salle corrects course
Not only did the Green Archers halt a three-game losing skid, they also remained in prime position for the last two semifinal spots, as they stay standing at fourth-place at 7-6, still one full game ahead of closest pursuers Adamson and FEU, both with identical 6-7 records.
And adding to their confidence was that this win, where they overcame an early 16-point hole and EJ Gollena's first quarter ejection, made it an elimination sweep for La Salle against its new-age rival after its 72-69 conquest of UP last Oct. 19.
"They're really built to win, not giving up on every possession," said coach Topex Robinson of his wards in green-and-white.
"UP's gonna give us a good fight, they're gonna test your mettle, but these guys really deserve to savor this moment."
Mason Amos also returned to action after missing the last seven games, logging 22 minutes and wounding up with three points, three rebounds, and three assists in the Green Archers' win.
This wrapped up State U's elimination assignments at 10-4, as it's locked at second place now regardless of Sunday's battle between National U (11-2) and University of Santo Tomas (7-5).
Rey Remogat saw his 25-point night end up for naught even after sizzling with his 5-of-8 clip from deep which came with eight assists and six rebounds.
Nnoruka got 14 points, seven boards, and two assists, while Abadiano and Gani Stevens both scored 12 apiece in the defeat.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 87 - Phillips 21, Marasigan 17, Abadam 14, Cortez 14, Dungo 8, Macalalag 6, Quines 4, Amos 3, Nwankwo 0, Pablo 0, Melencio 0, Gollena 0, Gomez 0.
UP 82 - Remogat 25, Nnoruka 14, Abadiano 12, Stevens 12, Alarcon 8, Palanca 7, Fortea 2, Belmonte 2, Bayla 0, Alter 0, Torres 0, Yniguez 0.
Quarters: 15-26, 41-44, 59-58, 87-82.
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