In a rematch of last year’s Finals, Korea University flipped the script on La Salle as they cruised to a big win over the Philippine powerhouse to win the 2025 World University Basketball Series.
Revenge was served cold at the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium in Tokyo after Korea University routed the DLSU Green Archers, 95-85, in the Finals of the 2025 World University Basketball Series, dethroning the Philippine team in lopsided fashion on Monday.
La Salle, who won the crown against Korea University last year, was left in the dust early after a strong start by the Koreans.
The defending champions fell behind quickly in the championship match due to their turnovers, as Korea University sizzled with a 28-7 start punctuated by a dunk from Donggeun Lee with 2:08 ticks left in the opening quarter.
While the Green Archers tried to shift some momentum back on their end with a 9-0 run, a booming triple from Kichan Yun helped Korea dampen some of La Salle’s spirit to end the opening salvo ahead, 31-16.
Things got out of hand by the second quarter as Moon Yu Hyeon sparked the offense of Korea University, pouring it on against La Salle.
The Koreans ballooned their lead to as many as 27 points, 53-26, after a basket from Lee with 3:24 remaining in the first half.
By halftime, La Salle had made some ground but was still down big, 35-57.
Despite spirited attempts led by Jacob Cortez and Mike Philips in the second half where they got within 12 points, Korea’s hot start was just too much to handle for the Green Archers as they ran out of time to complete the comeback.
Korea University thus swept its way against the Philippine teams in the tournament after previously eliminating UP out of title contention in their tournament opener.
Philips paced La Salle in the losing effort with another double-double of 30 points and 12 rebounds while Kean Baclaan added 18 markers. Cortez added 13 points as well.
Korea rode the hot hand of Yun and Hyeon with 26 and 21 points, respectively in the title-clinching win.