Luis Pablo delivered crucial plays on both ends to help La Salle secure a 74–70 win over UP in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 Finals.
Luis Pablo came up big once more for De La Salle University as they secured a 74–70 Game 1 win over the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Finals on Wednesday, December 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Pablo finished with seven points, six rebounds, two steals, and three blocks, including the go-ahead basket that gave La Salle a 70–68 lead in the closing stretch.
The 6-foot-8 big man said his decisive basket stemmed from the confidence his teammates showed in him during the crucial possession.
“Alam mo ‘yun, ‘yung trust na kuha mo sa teammate, and 'yung excitement sa face niya, positivity sa face niya when he said that. Wala na akong puwedeng hilingin pa, that's the best feeling you could ever feel from a teammate,” Pablo told reporters after the match.
“[Kean Baclaan] passed me the ball, I was ready lang. Then, ayun, I read the defense on what they were giving then, yeah, I made the right play.”
Taking on the challenge of guarding Harold Alarcon
Pablo embraced the responsibility of defending UP’s top scorer, Harold Alarcon, saying he welcomed the challenge despite the guard–big man matchup.
UP's Harold Alarcon and DLSU's Luis Pablo during Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball Finals. | Photo: UAAP
And while Alarcon did finish with a career-high 34 points, Pablo delivered on some crucial blocks late in the fourth.
“Ako, always wanna challenge myself kasi you know na I'm a big man and Harold's a guard. So I really wanna challenge myself to guard every position, and obviously he's the best guy on that team,” he said.
“You know stopping the best guy on your opponent's team is like the biggest achievement, 'di ba? And ako I have a defensive mentality. So you know ‘yung mga ganun situations, ganun mga responsibilities hinahanap ko.”
Mindset heading into Game 2
Despite the Game 1 win, Pablo reminded his teammates that the job is far from finished.
“I told them kanina after the game that no one will celebrate because it's far from over. Winning game 1 doesn't mean we won the championship already. So, having everyone with the same mindset.”
“Paano namin in-approach ‘yung game 1, we'll approach it like the same heading to Game 2. So, yan, that's our main focus right now.”
[ALSO READ: The UP-DLSU Rivalry: Looking back on high-stakes showdowns since UAAP Season 84]
With the victory, DLSU now stands one win away from reclaiming the UAAP crown, with Game 2 set for Sunday, December 14, still at the Mall of Asia Arena.
—
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.