UAAP: La Salle counts cost of tough win vs. UE as key players sustain injuries

MANILA — De La Salle University saw a handful of key players exit with injuries in their clash against the University of the East in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday.

The Green Archers opened the second round with a hard-fought 97-88 overtime win against the Red Warriors at the Mall of Asia Arena.

But the crucial victory did not come easy, as La Salle lost Jacob Cortez, Vhoris Marasigan and JC Macalalag to injuries at various points in the contest.

“Going back to DLSU we’re gonna make sure the injured players will be taken care of. In fact, some of our players are going to go straight to the hospital to be checked,” La Salle assistant coach Oliver Bunyi said. 

“And hopefully, how many more days until Sunday they’re already back,” he added.

Cortez exited the game during the second quarter at the 3:27 mark, after hurting his right leg as he was driving to the basket. The guard took some time before getting up but was able to walk off on his own.

La Salle’s Jacob Cortez on the bench during their game against UE in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament, October 21, 2026 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP MediaUnfortunately for La Salle, Cortez did not return to the game after the injury scare.

The woes continued for La Salle in overtime, when Macalalag got hit on the head by UE’s Drew Jimenez in an attempt to get the ball. 

Then, with 31 seconds left on the clock, Marasigan and UE’s Toper Lagat inadvertently collided as the former received a pass when the latter bumped into him. 

Both players were on the floor until Lagat stood up first, while Marasigan had to be escorted off the court on a wheelchair due to apparent bleeding near his ear.

La Salle’s Vhoris Marasigan is wheeled off the court during their game against UE in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament, October 21, 2026 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP MediaCortez and Marasigan have since been brought to a hospital, according to Bunyi. “I think Vhoris suffered a cut inside his ear. And then si Jacob, just to make sure walang damage on his knee,” he said.

La Salle will play University of Santo Tomas on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.