UP, DLSU Settle UAAP Season 88 Crown in Winner-Take-All Game 3
By: Angie Quadra-Balibay
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Published on: December 15, 2025
UP stops DLSU title celebration after Game 2 pushes the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Finals to a deciding Game 3. Photo courtesy of UAAP Media.
The UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Finals will go the distance as the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University prepare to decide the championship in a winner-take-all Game 3.
UP forced the deciding game after edging DLSU, 66–63, in Game 2 on Sunday, December 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena, keeping the Finals series alive and setting up another high-stakes showdown between the rivals.
The result marked the third straight year that UP and DLSU will meet in a deciding Finals game, underscoring the balance and competitiveness between the two programs in recent seasons.
Watch the Game 2 highlights here:
UP leaned on steady leadership from senior captain Gerry Abadiano, who finished with 17 points, while Francis Nnoruka recorded 13 points and 13 rebounds. Noy Remogat also contributed 12 points for the Fighting Maroons.
“Mas gutom lang talaga kaming manalo ngayon,” Abadiano said.
For La Salle, Jacob Cortez led with 16 points, four rebounds, and two steals. Luis Pablo added 12 points and six rebounds, while Mike Phillips tallied eight points and 12 rebounds as the Green Archers stayed within striking distance until the final moments.
Watch the Game 1 highlights here:
UP is aiming for back-to-back UAAP titles and a third championship in the last five years, while DLSU looks to reclaim the crown in what has become one of the league’s most anticipated Finals matchups.
Game 3 of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Finals is set for Wednesday, December 17, at 3:30 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fans can watch the winner-take-all game live on the following platforms:
Pilipinas Live (mobile and web)
One Sports (Cignal TV Channel 6, Free TV Channel 41)
UAAP Varsity Channel (Cignal TV Channel 263 HD)
Read more uplifting sports stories and milestone moments in Philippine athletics on GoodNewsPilipinas.com, where great Filipino matchups are celebrated.