By NIKOLE JAVIER
For one last time, No. 1 seed University of the Philippines and second-ranked La Salle clash in an all-important game – one that would define their places in the history of the UAAP.
While routs marred the first two games of their best-of-three title series, expect Game 3 on Wednesday, Dec. 6, to be tight and dramatic.
It could be a low scoring contest, too.
But that depends largely on their defensive strategies which are likely to come into play considering how crucial the game is for the two teams battling it out with all their might and passion in the finals of the prestigious league for the first time.
Apart from the bragging rights, the Archers are hoping to bring the crown back to Taft — their first in seven years — at the end of the 6 p.m. collision at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Maroons, now in their third straight finals appearance, are looking for redemption after losing to Ateneo in last season’s finale dubbed as Battle of Katipunan.
Though, it’s weekday, expert another massive crowd just like in Game 2 when 20,863 green-and-maroon-clad fans witnessed the game at the Big Dome.
Despite riding the crest of a nine-game winning run, the Archers failed to react in time to UP’s air-tight defense and absorbed their worst defeat in years, a 97-67 beating.
That left everybody bewildered considering how formidable the squad is, even in MVP-in-waiting Kevin Quiambao was left badly hurt – emotionally.
Taking the lessons learned to heart, a different La Salle squad showed up in Game 2 – all members of the team ready for UP’s tough defensive tactic.
So the result was a vengeful 82-60 victory.
Credit La Salle’s Game 2 win to hot outside shooting.
While UP forced La Salle to turn the ball over 18 times for a 24-point advantage in Game 1, the Green Archers buried 12 shots from afar to outplay the Fighting Maroons.
In sharp contrast, the Maroons knocked only two of their own that hastened their downfall.
While the trio of Francis Escandor, Joshua David and CJ Austria provided the early firepower, Quiambao, who was hailed as the tournament MVP before the start of Game 2, and Mike Phillips crashed the boards as they grabbed 13 rebounds each.
Meanwhile, graduating and Mythical Five member Evan Nelle is determined to go out with a ring to complement an impressive personal season.
A true gentleman of the game, UP coach Goldwin Monteverde was quick to accept defeat but vowed to go all-out to change the ending of a classic story now that the momentum has shifted to La Salle side.
He is likely to rely heavily on the towering presence of Malick Diouf, the court generalship of CJ Cagulangan, the toughness of Gerry Abadiano and Terrence Fortea, versatility of Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez and CJ Cansino,
Over at the women’s side, seven-time champion National University also forced a win-or-go-home Game 3 against University of Santo Tomas.
The Lady Bulldogs is looking to continue its historic run for a potential eighth consecutive at 12 noon against the equally hungry Growling Tigresses.
NU, which suffered a 76-72 Game 1 heartbreak, found its championship form with a 72-70 Game 2 fightback to tie the series.
