The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons are back in the championship stageโfor the fifth straight seasonโafter surviving the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 82โ81, in a nail-biting UAAP Season 88 semifinals duel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With UST up 81โ79, it was Terrence Fortea who stepped up in crunch time. The veteran guard drilled a cold-blooded three with 48.5 seconds left, giving UP the lead for good and sealing his status as the gameโs hero.
UST still had chances at the rim, but Francis Nnorukaโs huge block on Nic Cabaรฑero and a final defensive stand kept the Tigers from retaking control.
Head coach Goldwin Monteverde praised the teamโs poise under pressure, noting how every player rose to the moment:
โTrust in the whole teamโthatโs what made us win,โ Fortea echoed after the game.
UP now waits for the winner of the NU vs La Salle rubber match to determine their dance partner in the finals. La Salle forced the decider after beating the top-seeded Bulldogs, 87โ77.
The road gets tougher from hereโbut once again, UP is exactly where they expect to be: on the biggest stage, with everything on the line.
Image from UAAP Media