Defending champions DLSU Green Archers are the first team to advance to the World University Basketball Series (WUBS) 2025 semifinals, besting Chinese Taipei’s National Chengchi University in their opening game.
When it mattered the most, Mike Phillips delivered for the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers.
Phillips came up with a clutch chasedown block as the Green Archers withstood a late National Chengchi University (NCCU) Griffins to hack out a narrow 89-84 win, jumpstarting their title defense in the World University Basketball Series (WUBS) 2025 at the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium, on Saturday, August 9.
Motor Mike finished with a team-high 15 points, but his most impressive effort came in the defensive play against Te-Chi Hsu with 17.1 ticks left to play in regulation.
Leading by just three points at 87-84, Hsu stole the ball from EJ Gollena and was in line for a breakaway layup before Phillips came out of nowhere to swat the shot away.
The Griffins had a chance to tie the game, but Zhi Kai Wu's three-point attempt clanked as Luis Pablo iced the game with a pair of free-throws.
Mason Amos chipped in 14 points built on four threes while Vhoris Marasaigan added 10 for DLSU, who became the first team to advance to the semifinals. They will meet the winner of the University of Hong Kong–Japan University Select Team duel scheduled later.
Hao topscored NCCU with 20 points while Hsu added 17 as their comeback attempt fell short.
Meanwhile, the UP Fighting Maroons will take on last year’s runner-up, Korea University, in their opening game later at 4:10 p.m. (PH time).
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