MANILA, Philippines – La Salle’s reign in UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball continues nearly unchallenged heading to the Final Four as the defending champions romped UP anew, 77-66, in a virtual battle for the top seed at the packed Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, November 10.
With the win, the Green Archers locked up first place with a 12-1 record, sending the Fighting Maroons to an assured second-place finish in the elimination round with a 9-3 card.
Reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao led the way with a team-high 15-point effort on 6-of-14 shooting, a slight improvement from his uncharacteristic 2-of-17 clip in their last win against FEU.
Mike Phillips again made the most of his 21-minute leash with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, while fellow veteran Joshua David scattered 12 points, 7 boards, 4 assists, and 3 steals.
“It’s about everybody. It’s about the team. Guys were just ready to compete again. As I’ve said, one of the best teams in the college. We tried our best to be at par and compete against them,” said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson.
“Credit to these guys for competing and not giving up, especially in the second half,” added Robinson, whose Archers trailed by as many as 11 points, 26-37, in the second quarter.
Off a 47-46 UP lead with 5:21 left in the third quarter, La Salle sparked its late surge with a 19-8 run bridging the final two frames for a 65-55 advantage off a JC Macalalag corner three with 6:36 to play.
The Maroons hardly threatened again from that point onwards as they only got as near as 7, 69-62, off a 2-of-3 charity line trip from JD Cagulangan before the Archers’ bench mob led by Doi Dungo cleaned up the endgame with timely stops and free throws of their own.
Cagulangan led all scorers with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals in 29 minutes, while Jacob Bayla was a far second with just 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting.
UP sorely missed the two-way production of one-and-done star center Quentin Millora-Brown, who went back home to the United States to mourn the loss of his grandfather, UP alumnus Dr. Angel Millora.
La Salle 77 – Quiambao 15, M. Phillips 14, David 12, Macalalag 9, Gonzales 7, Agunanne 6, Gollena 4, Dungo 4, Ramiro 2, Austria 2, Marasigan 2, Rubico 0.
UP 66 – Cagulangan 22, Bayla 10, Torculas 9, Torres 8, Lopez 6, Stevens 3, Alarcon 2, Fortea 2, Alter 2, Briones 2, Ududo 0, Abadiano 0, Felicilda 0, Belmonte 0.
Quarters: 12-14, 40-43, 57-51, 77-66.
– Rappler.com
