By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Reyland Torres provided a steady offensive presence for the University of the Philippines (UP), but it was De La Salle University (DLSU) that emerged victorious, reclaiming the UAAP men’s basketball championship with an 80-72 win over the Fighting Maroons in a winner-take-all Game 3 of the Season 88 finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night, December 17.

The Negrense guard finished with 11 points, helping keep UP competitive in a tightly contested title decider that drew 24,339 fans and featured 16 lead changes throughout the game.

DLSU seized control in the closing minutes behind Vhoris Marasigan, who scored five straight points in the final two minutes to snap a 66-all deadlock and give the Green Archers a 71-67 advantage.

Marasigan ended the game with 10 points after missing a potential game-winning three-pointer in Game 2.

Michael Phillips delivered a dominant performance for DLSU, tallying 25 points and 18 rebounds to anchor the Archers’ championship run and earn finals MVP honors in his final game with the team.

UP remained within striking distance behind Rey Remogat, who led all Fighting Maroons scorers with 21 points, and Francis Nnoruka, who posted a double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds.

The championship capped a resilient season for La Salle, which overcame injuries to key players Kean Baclaan and Mason Amos, both of whom suffered MCL injuries before returning to the playoffs.

The Green Archers finished fourth at the end of the elimination round before eliminating Ateneo and upsetting top seed National University despite a twice-to-beat disadvantage, completing their return to the top of UAAP men’s basketball./ASC, WDJ

DLSU 80 — Phillips 25, Amos 11, Marasigan 10, Cortez 9, Abadam 9, Baclaan 8, Macalalag 4, Pablo 4, Gollena 0.

UP 72 — Remogat 21, Nnoruka 16, Torres 11, Abadiano 7, Alarcon 6, Stevens 6, Bayla 3, Alter 2, Fortea 0, Belmonte 0, Yñiguez 0, Palanca 0.

Quarterscores: 19-16, 40-41, 58-59, 80-72.