La Salle upsets UP, forces do-or-die

La Salle kept its UAAP campaign alive as the Green Archers held off the UP Fighting Maroons, 83-80, to forge a winner-take-all in the Final Four on Wednesday, May 4, at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Justine Baltazar, Kurt Lojera, and Evan Nelle fueled the Archers’ hot start against the Maroons – who own a twice-to-beat advantage as the No. 2 seed – before helping foil a late UP comeback.

La Salle looks to pull off another upset when the Archers and the Maroons tangle again to fight for a championship berth in a do-or-die duel on Friday, May 6.

(READ: Sweet-shooting La Salle denies late UP comeback, forces do-or-die for UAAP finals berth)

Preview

Coming off the biggest upset in UAAP Season 84, UP eyes an immediate entry to the finals as it tangles with La Salle in the Final Four on Wednesday, May 4, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Fighting Maroons – armed with a twice-to-beat advantage – are expected to get past the Green Archers after denying Ateneo a sweep of the elimination round and an outright finals berth.

UP prevented another stepladder Final Four setup by dealing the Blue Eagles their first loss after 39 straight wins since October 2018 by way of an 84-83 escape last Sunday, May 1.

La Salle, though, refuses to go down without a fight as it seeks to beat the Fighting Maroons for the first time this season in order to force a do-or-die semifinals match.

But for a better chance of that happening, the Green Archers need key players Justine Baltazar and Schonny Winston – who are both listed “day-to-day” due to their respective injuries – to return.

Tip-off is 2 pm.

– Rappler.com