UP denies La Salle fightback, snaps 2-game skid

MANILA, Philippines -- University of the Philippines denied a furious De La Salle fightback, 80-76, at the Mall of Asia Arena Sunday to snap a 2-game skid in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament.   The Fighting Maroons squandered a 14-point, 67-53 lead after the defending champs Green Archers unleashed a 20-5 run capped by a Jacob Cortez trey to take a 73-72 cushion in the last 2:40.   UP avoided total collapse in the battle of the finalists of the previous three seasons thanks to the clutch baskets and free throws of Veejay Pre, Dikachi Ududo, James Payosing, and Noy Remogat, who split his charities to seal it for the state university with five ticks left.   Doy Dungo uncorked one more trey for La Salle but missed.   Remogat fired 20 points and four rebounds for the Fighting Maroons, who improved to 3-2 for a share of third place with the Adamson Soaring Falcons.   The Archers fell to 3-3 tied with the Ateneo Blue Eagles in fourth place.