The DLSU Green Archers survived a furious fourth-quarter rally from the NU Bulldogs, escaping with an 89-87 victory in UAAP Season 89 basketball action on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Mall of Asia Arena. In a game that swung wildly between contrasting styles, La Salle built a double-digit lead, watched it evaporate under National University’s full-court pressure, and then steadied just enough in the final minute to hold on for a signature early-season win.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, the Green Archers looked intent on pushing the tempo. DLSU’s guards attacked early in the shot clock, and the offense generated clean looks from the perimeter. NU, meanwhile, leaned on its half-court execution and offensive rebounding, staying within striking distance despite a chilly start from the field. The Bulldogs’ bench brought energy in the second quarter, but La Salle’s balanced scoring kept the Archers in front.

The game’s final scoreline — 89-87 — tells the story of a contest that was decided in the last two minutes, when DLSU made just enough plays on both ends to deny NU a completed comeback.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

La Salle controlled the first half behind efficient shooting and a compact zone defense that bothered NU’s entry passes. The Bulldogs adjusted after the break, turning the game into a track meet and forcing several costly DLSU turnovers. Here is how the scoring unfolded:

• First Quarter: DLSU 24, NU 18 — Green Archers jump out early behind perimeter shooting.
• Second Quarter: DLSU 22, NU 20 — NU settles in, but DLSU takes a 46-38 lead into the locker room.
• Third Quarter: NU 25, DLSU 20 — Bulldogs turn up the pressure and cut the deficit to 66-63.
• Fourth Quarter: DLSU 23, NU 24 — A wild finish sees La Salle survive a last-second NU attempt.

Key Moments and Clutch Plays

The turning point came midway through the third quarter, when NU unleashed a full-court press that rattled the Green Archers. A quick 8-0 run, capped by a transition dunk, forced DLSU coach Topex Robinson to call timeout. The Bulldogs carried that momentum into the fourth, eventually tying the game at 82-82 with under four minutes remaining.

From there, the game became a possession-by-possession battle. La Salle answered with a tough baseline jumper from its veteran forward, then got a critical defensive stop on the other end. NU had a chance to tie or win in the final seconds, but a contested three-pointer from the wing rimmed out, and the Archers secured the rebound as the buzzer sounded.

NU coach Jeff Napa’s squad executed its late-game sets well, but two missed free throws in the final minute proved costly. DLSU, meanwhile, converted six of its last eight attempts from the charity stripe to keep the Bulldogs at arm’s length.

Tactical Story

La Salle’s game plan revolved around ball movement and spacing. The Green Archers used high ball screens to free their guards, and when NU switched, DLSU’s big men sealed inside for easy buckets. Defensively, Robinson mixed up his coverages, alternating between a 2-3 zone and man-to-man to disrupt NU’s rhythm.

NU’s counter was predictable but effective: crash the offensive glass and push the pace off live-ball turnovers. The Bulldogs grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and scored 18 second-chance points, which kept them in the game. Their half-court offense, however, stalled at times against DLSU’s length, particularly in the first half when they settled for contested mid-range jumpers.

Standout Players

Several players delivered big performances in a game that featured plenty of individual brilliance:

• DLSU guard: Finished with a team-high 22 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds, controlling the tempo and hitting timely shots.
• DLSU forward: Added 18 points and 11 rebounds, including a crucial put-back in the final two minutes.
• NU guard: Led all scorers with 24 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals, nearly willing his team to the win.
• NU center: Posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, dominating the interior.

What the Result Means

The win pushes the DLSU Green Archers to 3-1 in the early UAAP Season 89 standings, keeping them within striking distance of the league leaders. For NU, the loss drops the Bulldogs to 2-2, but the performance showed they can compete with the top tier of the league. In a season where the Final Four race is expected to be tight, every head-to-head matchup carries extra weight.

La Salle will look to build on this win as it continues its first-round schedule, while NU will regroup and work on late-game execution. If this 89-87 thriller is any indicatio