The stage is set for a historic showdown in Philippine collegiate basketball. The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons and the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers are ready to battle for the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball championship, marking their third finals meeting in as many years. The best-of-three series begins this Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Road to the Championship Series
The defending champion UP Fighting Maroons faced early adversity, losing their first two games of the season. However, they demonstrated remarkable resilience, winning 10 of their next 11 matches to secure the number two seed in the Final Four. In the semifinals, they edged out the UST Growling Tigers in a nail-biting 82-81 thriller to advance directly to the finals.
On the other side, the La Salle Green Archers had a more dramatic path. They barely qualified for the Final Four and were confronted with the top-seeded National University (NU) Bulldogs, who held a twice-to-beat advantage. In a stunning turn of events, La Salle defied the odds and defeated NU twice, securing their spot in the championship round and sending shockwaves through the league.
A Rivalry Forged in Recent History
This finals matchup is the culmination of a modern-day trilogy between these two powerhouse schools. In 2023, La Salle, led by MVP Kevin Quiambao, won Game 3 with a score of 73-69, ending a seven-year title drought for the Green Archers.
The script was flipped in 2024. UP, burning with resolve, claimed the championship in another classic Game 3, triumphing 66-62 in front of a record-breaking crowd of 25,248 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Now, in 2025, the stakes could not be higher. With each school holding one title from the past two years, the winner of this series will not only claim the Season 88 crown but also bragging rights for this era of the rivalry.
New Heroes and Strategic Masterminds
Both teams have undergone significant transformations. La Salle will be without key players from their previous runs, including Kevin Quiambao and CJ Austria. UP also faces the absence of stars like Francis Lopez, JD Cagulangan, and Quentin Millora-Brown. This void sets the stage for new heroes to emerge.
One name has already answered the call for La Salle: Jacob Cortez. The 20-year-old guard, son of La Salle legend Mike "Cool Cat" Cortez, delivered a spectacular 29-point performance in the do-or-die Game 2 against NU, capped by a deep three-pointer reminiscent of NBA star Steph Curry.
The chess match on the sidelines will be equally compelling. Coach Topex Robinson has now guided La Salle to the finals in all three of his UAAP seasons. His counterpart, UP's Goldwin Monteverde, will counter with the Fighting Maroons' renowned defensive discipline and structure.
The battle for supremacy begins on Wednesday, December 9, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. With one heartbreak and one title each, the UP Fighting Maroons and the La Salle Green Archers are set to write the next unforgettable chapter in their storied rivalry. The only question left is which color—Maroon or Green—will paint the championship.
