Archers escape Bulldogs to open UAAP title repeat bid
MANILA, Philippines -- La Salle fended off the gritty National University Bulldogs, 89-87, to kick off their UAAP men’s basketball title defense on a high note Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Green Archers saw their 14-point lead shrink to just one late in the fourth, but held on to take the victory in their Season 89 opener.
Rookie Joaquin Tovera powered La Salle after an impressive debut, scoring 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Luis Pablo added 16 markers, seven boards, two blocks and an assist, while Doy Dungo had 12 points.
La Salle led by 14 points, 78-64, with 8:45 remaining after a Pablo jumper.
But a 20-7 run, capped by a Mo Diassana deuce, sliced the deficit to one, 84-85, with 2:42 left.
After a series of misses by both teams, Dungo connected on a triple to push the lead to four, 88-84, with 49.5 seconds to go.
After a split from the line by Diassana and a layup by Reinhand Jumamoy made it a one-point lead anew, 87-88, NU had to foul to stop the clock.
Jacob Cortez then missed both free throws, but Mason Amos was able to carom the board. Amos, missed the first and made the second, making it an 89-87 ballgame with 3.6 seconds left.
NU had a chance to either tie it or go for the win, and they went for the latter, with PJ Palacielo finding himself open on the corner.
He had a good look, but his shot was short as time expired.
Cortez and Earl Abadam had nine points each in the win.
Tebol Garcia and Kenshin Padrones stood tall for NU with 14 markers each. The former had six dimes and three boards, while the latter had seven boards. Diassana and Palacielo added 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the Bulldogs.
La Salle will return to action this Wednesday, facing off against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 5:30 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
NU, on the other hand, will clash with the University of the East Red Warriors next Saturday, 3 p.m., at the Big Dome.
abtestabtest Magsayo outpointed by Cortes By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 7 hours ago Mark Magsayo's five-match win streak has come to an end. Sports 'Everything different' as Zverev returns to US Open final 1 day ago Six years after an agonizing loss in the US Open final, Alexander Zverev says "everything is different" as he returns... Sports New No.1 Rybakina out to thwart Sabalenka US Open three-peat bid 1 day ago Aryna Sabalenka is "ready for the fight" as she eyes a third straight title at the US Open, where the woman... Sports Philippines embarks in first-ever Mobile Legends tourney at Asian Games with redemption, history in mind By Michelle Lojo | 2 days ago The Philippines will enter the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament in the Asian Games with an opportunity to make history... Sports Nationals bounce back By Olmin Leyba | 17 hours ago The Gilas Pilipinas title-repeat quest is back in business. Sports Latest More in Sports ‘Phenomenal': FEU rookie Cabonilas impresses in UAAP seniors debut Falcons storm back to nip Tamaraws in UAAP Season 89 opener Defiant Sabalenka motivated by US Open defeat All systems go for 5150 Islands Series finale on Samal Island abtest Garcia keeps WBC welterweight title by stopping Benn 5 hours ago American Ryan Garcia defended his World Boxing Council welterweight title on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time) with a second-round... Sports B.League training beckons for young Filipino cagers By John Bryan Ulanday | 5 hours ago Eight Filipino kids will be given a prestigious chance to train with professional basketball clubs in Japan after the national... Sports Ardina finds form, cards 68; Romero storms ahead 7 hours ago Dottie Ardina fired a 68 after completing a tough opening round to surge into a share of eighth place and back into contention... Sports US Open champ Rybakina on top of world after injury scare 7 hours ago Elena Rybakina is on top of the tennis world, celebrating her first US Open title and her rise to No. 1 barely more than three... Sports Recommended VP Sara, plinano na umupong presidente – Palasyo 17 hours ago Binuweltahan ng Malacañang si Vice President Sara Duterte matapos niyang banatan si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.... SportsSARA DUTERTE ‘Ebidensya sa impeachment vs VP Sara, solido’ September 13, 2026 - 12:00am Sinagot ni House prosecutor at Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon ang naging pahayag ni Vice President Sara Duterte na walang matibay na ebidensya laban sa kaniya kaugnay sa ginawagang paglilitis sa Senate impeachment...r Sports. TERRY RIDON ‘Voting threshold’ kay VP Sara dapat mas mababa sa 13 – Calleja September 13, 2026 - 12:00am Dapat mas mababa umano sa 13 ang voting threshold ng mga senador-judges kung pagbabatayan na nasa 20 lamang sa kanila ang nagpapartisipa sa paglilitis sa Senate impeachment court laban kay Vice President Sara...r SportsSARA DUTERTE Arraignment ni VP Duterte sa kasong grave threats, iniliban September 12, 2026 - 12:00am Ipinagpaliban ng Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 nitong Biyernes ang arraignment o pagbasa ng sakdal ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa kasong grave threats. SportsSARA DUTERTE VP Sara, wala pang abiso bilang testigo sa impeachment trial 1 day ago Inihayag ni Vice President Sara Duterte na wala pa siyang natatanggap na opisyal na dokumento o subpoena para humarap bilang... SportsSARA DUTERTE next Recommended VP Sara, plinano na umupong presidente – Palasyo Binuweltahan ng Malacañang si Vice President Sara Duterte matapos niyang banatan si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at nanawagan ng pagbibitiw nito. 17 hours ago SARA DUTERTE ‘Ebidensya sa impeachment vs VP Sara, solido’ Sinagot ni House prosecutor at Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon ang naging pahayag ni Vice President Sara Duterte na walang matibay na ebidensya laban sa kaniya kaugnay sa ginawagang paglilitis sa Senate impeachment court. 17 hours ago . TERRY RIDON ‘Voting threshold’ kay VP Sara dapat mas mababa sa 13 – Calleja Dapat mas mababa umano sa 13 ang voting threshold ng mga senador-judges kung pagbabatayan na nasa 20 lamang sa kanila ang nagpapartisipa sa paglilitis sa Senate impeachment court laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte. 17 hours ago SARA DUTERTE Arraignment ni VP Duterte sa kasong grave threats, iniliban Ipinagpaliban ng Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 nitong Biyernes ang arraignment o pagbasa ng sakdal ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa kasong grave threats. 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE VP Sara, wala pang abiso bilang testigo sa impeachment trial Inihayag ni Vice President Sara Duterte na wala pa siyang natatanggap na opisyal na dokumento o subpoena para humarap bilang testigo sa kaniyang sariling impeachment trial. 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
