Time to bust out the descriptions every time these two schools meet in the Finals: walang bibitaw, walang susuko, leave it all on the floor, give 110%, and of course — “sila na naman?!”
For the third straight season, the UAAP Men’s Basketball Finals will feature: The UP Fighting Maroons vs The DLSU Green Archers.
You may be tired. You may be exhausted. You may be whispering, “Sila na naman?!”
But you will watch. Because this is the UAAP. Because this is legacy. Because this is love. Or trauma. Whichever applies.
There are matchups to break down, sets to analyze, and rotations to preview, which is exactly why we will not do any of that.
Instead, this preview is as deep as the K-pop lore you pretended to know to bond with your crush.
As useful as an umbrella sa bagyo kung nasa loob ka ng bahay. As chaotic as enrollment servers on Day 1.
Welcome to the only Finals preview that asks: “Bakit nga ba lagi na lang sila ang nagtatagpo? Soulmates ba sila?”
Movie that best describes this Finals: Before Midnight
Two people destined to meet again… and again… and again.
UP and La Salle can’t quit each other.
They met in 2023.
They met in 2024.
They meet again in 2025.
Just like Jesse and Céline, their chemistry is undeniable…but someone always ends up sad in the ending.
“Fun Facts” about the UP Fighting Maroons
Last Championship: 2024
UP comes in as the defending champions, still the standard for Season 88 even after their 0-2 start.
Season 88 momentum:
Survived UST in a cardiac semis finish.
Nearly lost, nearly won, nearly passed out — the usual Diliman package.
Popular slang when UP last won the title (2024):
“Delulu is the solulu.”
Use it in a sentence: Delulu ang UP fans na smooth sailing ang Finals, pero solulu naman minsan.
Secret weapon:
Clutch gene + championship experience.
When you've lifted a trophy last year, the moment feels familiar.
Rejected UP cheer proposal:
“UP Fight! UP Fight! ’Di kami papatalo — kahit lagi kaming nauubusan ng boses sa dulo!”
Song that best describes UP’s season: “Champagne Problems” by Taylor Swift
Because being the defending champs comes with stress, pressure, and every team throwing haymakers at you — but hey, these are still the kind of problems you want.
[ALSO READ: UP Fighting Maroons mark golden age with 5th straight UAAP Finals appearance]
“Fun Facts” about the DLSU Green Archers
Last Championship: 2023
La Salle’s hunt for the crown is now in Year 2 since their 2023 title, and they desperately want it back.
Season 88 Momentum:
Knocked out No. 1 NU in the semis.
Jacob Cortez: certified Finals Manila Boy.
La Salle went from shaky eliminations to peak-postseason-mode — again.
Popular slang when La Salle last won the title (2023):
“It’s giving…”
Use it in a sentence:
It’s giving redemption arc sa Finals.
Secret weapon:
The Cortez clutch timeline + pagkabuhay ni Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan.
Rejected La Salle cheer proposal:
“D-L-S-U!
What does it spell?
…basta champion kami ulit.”
Song that best describes La Salle’s season: “Unstoppable” by Sia
Because the moment the postseason hit, La Salle suddenly went Finals-mode, clutch-mode, can’t-be-stopped-mode, as they patched themselves after all the injuries and suspensions.
[ALSO READ: La Salle powered by familiar name of 'Cortez' in UAAP Finals trilogy vs UP]
Why does this trilogy hit different in 2025?
2023 — La Salle wins.
2024 — UP wins.
2025 — the tiebreaker. The decider.
The “best of three” that nobody officially agreed to… but destiny clearly did.
UP wants back-to-back, something they haven’t done in the modern era. La Salle wants their title back, the one UP stole last season.
One chasing history.
One chasing redemption.
Both chasing each other — again.
Catch Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Finals live on One Sports, One Sports+, and on the Pilipinas Live app.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.