UAAP Season 87 Finals: UP Fighting Maroons Dethrone DLSU Green Archers 66-62 in Heart-Stopping Game 3 Decider

QUEZON CITY — In front of a thunderous, ear-splitting crowd of 25,114 spectators at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons captured the UAAP Season 87 Men's Basketball Championship, edging defending titlists De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers 66-62 in a heart-stopping Game 3 decider.

The victory capped one of the most fiercely contested Finals trilogies in collegiate basketball history. After UP claimed Game 1 (73-65) and La Salle stormed back in Game 2 (76-75), the rubber match turned into a defensive slugfest where every rebound, loose ball, and possession felt like a battle of sheer attrition.

A Championship Climax for the Ages

Trailing 58-54 midway through the final frame following a personal 7-0 flurry by UAAP Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao, the Fighting Maroons dug deep into their championship pedigree. UP tactician Goldwin Monteverde called a crucial timeout, re-installing a relentless full-court trap that suffocated the Green Archers' backcourt.

Harold Alarcon proved to be the ultimate man of the moment. The veteran guard drilled an ice-cold step-back jumper to tie the contest at 60-60, before Francis Lopez soared above the rim for a thunderous putback dunk with 1:18 remaining that sent the maroon-clad gallery into delirium.

"All year long, we talked about composure under fire," an emotional Monteverde stated as confetti rained down from the Araneta rafters. "La Salle is a tremendous team coached by a great mentor in Topex Robinson. But our boys refused to break. They played with pure heart for the UP community."

Kevin Quiambao's Valiant Final Stand

For La Salle, Quiambao was heroic in defeat, willing his team with 22 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks in 36 grueling minutes. Despite heavy double-teams from Quentin Millora-Brown and Lopez, the versatile forward kept the Green Archers within striking distance until the final horn.

Sophomore guard Mike Phillips contributed 12 points and 15 rebounds, while Joshua David added 9 markers. However, La Salle was plagued by 18 turnovers against UP's ball-denial pressure, yielding 16 costly transition points.

Finals MVP Honors & Legacy

Harold Alarcon was rightfully crowned UAAP Season 87 Finals MVP after averaging 16.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and shooting 48% from the field across the three-game epic.

"This championship is dedicated to every Isko and Iska who supported us through the tears and the triumphs," Alarcon said, clutching the championship trophy. "We brought the crown back to Diliman."

The historic victory solidifies the Fighting Maroons as the premier collegiate basketball program in the nation, setting the benchmark for grassroots basketball excellence in the Philippines.