Metro Manila, Philippines – The De La Salle University Green Archers stunned top seed National University Bulldogs, 78-73, to reach their third straight UAAP men’s basketball finals on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Jacob Cortez stepped up again when it mattered the most for the Green Archers. The second generation cager dropped 29 points including the go-ahead jumper to give La Salle the 74-72 lead with 56.3 seconds left in the final quarter.

The Bulldogs had numerous attempts to tie and even grab the victory, but key defensive stops from the Green Archers was the difference in the end.

Earl Abadam contributed 14 points and three rebounds, while Vhoris Marasigan added 10 points for La Salle.

Jake Figueroa had 21 markers and six boards for NU.

With the victory, the fourth seeded Green Archers overcame a twice-to-beat disadvantage to get a shot at redemption for the crown they lost to the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons a year ago.

Game 1 of the best-of-three finals between La Salle and UP is on Dec. 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.