Exactly five years after the last triple-double in UAAP Men’s Basketball, Kevin Quiambao achieved the rare feat on Saturday.
MVP race leader Quiambao lifted De La Salle University over first-round tormentor National University, 88-78, for its third straight win in the Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Quiambao, the sophomore all-around ‘point forward’, recorded 17 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds, along with four steals.
“First of all, nanggaling naman lahat yan sa system nila coach. Nag doble effort lang ako dahil ung first round nga natalo kami sa NU so parang may gusto akong patunayan na hindi na pwede maulit yun,” said the 6-foot-8 Quiambao, last season’s Rookie of the Year.
CJ Cansino, who was still with the University of Santo Tomas back then, scored 20 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists on October 28, 2018, in their 79-68 win over University of the East.
The Green Archers, who had lost in overtime to the Bulldogs in the first round, 80-77, improved to a 6-3 record, strengthening their hold on the third spot.
“Aside from standings, we’re really focused on controlling the boards. During the first round, NU dominated us and naging challenge yun sa mga players individually,” said La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario as they played their second straight game without Mike Phillips due to an ankle injury.
The Green Archers dominated two key team statistics: rebounding (48-35) and assists (30-16).
NU fought back after being down by as much as 13 midway through the second quarter to cut the deficit to five, 39-44. However, Jonnel Policarpio and JC Macalalag ended that run with back-to-back threes, giving La Salle a 50-39 lead at halftime.
The Bulldogs played catch-up throughout the second half, but Quiambao, Evan Nelle, and Mark Nonoy provided the answers for the Green Archers.
Policarpio continued his strong play from their last game with 15 points and eight rebounds, Nelle contributed 14 points and seven assists, while Nonoy added 10 points.
The Bulldogs saw their five-game winning streak snapped as they fell to 7-2, just one game ahead of La Salle in second place.
The Green Archers will aim for their fourth consecutive win on November 5 against the league-leading University of the Philippines, while the Bulldogs will look to return to their winning ways a day before against Ateneo de Manila University. Both games will still be played at the same Pasay venue.
The Scores:
DLSU 88 – Quiambao 17, Policarpio 15, Nelle 14, Nonoy 10, Cortez 9, Macalalag 7, Nwankwo 5, David 4, Escandor 4, Abadam 3, Austria 0, B. Phillips 0, Gollena 0.
NU 78 – John 16, Baclaan 11, Malonzo 10, Lim 10, Figueroa 9, Palacielo 9, Casinillo 6, Gulapa 5, Parks 2, Yu 0, Galinato 0.
Quarterscores: 24-26, 50-39, 69-55, 88-78
