De La Salle University survived the 42-point explosion of Precious Momowei and the late injury to Kean Baclaan, outlasting the University of the East in a thrilling overtime duel, 111-110, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Green Archers roared back from a 21-point deficit in the third quarter to snap their two-game skid and improve to 3-3 for solo fifth, while the Red Warriors remained winless at 0-6.
In the extra period, Nico Mulingtapang, Dray Caoile, and Momowei combined for six straight points to give UE a 104-98 cushion. But La Salle refused to fold.
Trailing 107-104 with 1:46 left, Earl Abadam sparked the rally with a reverse layup, followed by Jacob Cortez’s four consecutive points—including a cold-blooded turnaround jumper—to seize a 110-107 lead with just 23.3 seconds remaining.
“When I saw Kean getting stretchered off the court, it motivated us to step up. Not only did I step up, everyone did today,” said Cortez, who exploded for 16 of his 26 points in the final 8:11 of play, while also tallying five assists and four steals. “We all started wrong, but it’s all about how you end.”
Head coach Topex Robinson entered the press room after the game but had to step out, overcome with emotion following the dramatic finish and Baclaan’s injury.
Baclaan went down with 4:20 left in regulation, and UE was leading 89-84 after colliding with Wello Lingolingo during a loose-ball scramble.
Lingolingo accidentally landed on Baclaan’s left leg and was later ejected for an unsportsmanlike foul (category 2), having already incurred a technical earlier for faking a foul.
As Baclaan was carried off the floor in tears, Cortez took it upon himself to rally the team, scoring 10 straight points to turn the tide and put La Salle ahead, 98-93, with 1:18 left in regulation.
