UAAP: Jacob Cortez leads La Salle to hard-earned OT win over UE
Metro Manila, Philippines - The De La Salle University Green Archers had to dig deep in their bag to beat the University of the East Red Warriors in overtime, 111-110, to snap a two-game losing skid in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Jacob Cortez played the biggest game of his career for the Green Archers with 26 points, including a clutch three-pointer in regulation and crucial turnaround jumper in the extra quarter, to go with five assists and four steals.
La Salle climbed back from a 21-point deficit in the third period and turned things around in the fourth frame.
It was a terrifying sight for the Green Archers when UE's Wello Lingolingo landed on Kean Baclaan's right knee while diving for possession at the 4:20 mark of the fourth quarter.
Baclaan was stretchered off the court as he was wincing in pain, while Lingolingo was thrown out of the game for an unsportsmanlike foul.
Mike Phillips added 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Earl Abadam contributed 18 points for La Salle.
Precious Momowei dropped 42 points for the Red Warriors, the most scored by a foreign student athlete in the UAAP Final Four Era.
The Green Archers are back to .500 as they improved to 3-3 in the team standings, while UE remained winless in six outings.
La Salle will wrap up its first round campaign against the reigning champions University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Oct. 19 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, while the Red Warriors battle the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on the same day.
