De La Salle University showcased its dominance with a powerful fourth-quarter surge, routing University of Santo Tomas 88-67 to remain in solo second in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This victory marks the Green Archers’ 15th consecutive win over the Growling Tigers since Season 79, a streak that began with a decisive 100-62 victory on September 14, 2016.
Entering the final period with a nine-point lead, La Salle quickly extended its advantage with an explosive 8-0 run, pushing the score to 69-52 with 7:17 left on the clock.
Vhoris Marasigan’s three-pointer, CJ Austria’s layup, and another three-pointer from Alex Konov capped a game-high lead of 24 points at 88-64.
“I think the key for us this afternoon is that we really tried to outwork them. We know what they’re capable of, we know how well coached that team is, and sabi nga namin, our goal right now is to just outwork UST,” said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson.
The rebounding battle spelled the difference between the two teams as the Green Archers grabbed 56 rebounds (35 defensive, 21 offensive) compared to the Growling Tigers’ season-low outing of 29 rebounds.
Mike Phillips led La Salle’s charge anew with 12 points, 18 rebounds, two assists, and one block. He dedicated the game to the Doleo Susalta, the team compound’s security guard who one of his close friends who passed away recently.
Rookie Vhoris Marasigan, who Robinson described as a ‘force to be reckoned with’, had an efficient outing of 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field.
Raven Gonzales had his best outing of the season with 10 points, five rebounds, two steals, and a game-high plus-25 in 14 minutes and 20 seconds of action, while Kevin Quiambao and JC Macalalag also chipped in 10 points a piece.
“It breeds how one of the things that we really wanted to bring to life is how the ‘one more’ mentality; guys knowing that they will have their opportunity when it comes,” he added.
Looking ahead, La Salle is set to face the undefeated University of the Philippines in a highly anticipated finals rematch next Sunday, October 6, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
A victory for the Green Archers would create a two-way tie for first place in the standings.
In contrast, the loss leaves UST tied for fourth place with the University of the East, as both teams now hold 3-2 records.
Nic Cabanero paced the Growling Tigers in the losing effort with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Forth Padrigao posted a double-digit scoring output for the first time this season with 15 points to go along with five assists.
Malian foreign student athlete Mo Tounkara, who exited the game with less than seven minutes left after committing his fourth foul, was limited to five points and five rebounds, but was still able to contribute defensively with a pair of steals and blocks.
The Growling Tigers will look to bounce back against the Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, October 2, at the same Cubao venue.
The Scores:
DLSU (88) – Phillips 12, Marasigan 11, Quiambao 10, Gonzales 10, Macalalag 10, Agunanne 7, Austria 6, Gollena 6, Dungo 6, David 4, Abadam 3, Konov 3, Ramiro 0.
UST (67) – Cabañero 16, Padrigao 15, Acido 9, Manaytay 8, Tounkara 5, Llemit 5, Danting 5, Robinson 2, Lane 2, Calum 0, Estacio 0, Paranada 0, Mahmood 0, Crisostomo 0, Pangilinan 0, Laure 0.