Defending champion De La Salle University continued its dominance over the University of the Philippines.
The Green Archers stamped their class over the Fighting Maroons, 77-66, securing the number one seed for the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Final Four in front of 13,820 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday evening.
This victory marked La Salle’s fourth consecutive win against UP, dating back to Games 2 and 3 of the Season 86 Finals, followed by its 68-56 triumph in the first round.
The Green Archers now hold a 12-1 record after earning their ninth straight win, with the National University Bulldogs as their last assignment on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
“It’s about everybody. It’s about the team. Guys were just ready to compete again, what we always say as one of the best teams in college. We tried our best to be at par and compete against them. Credit to these guys for really competing and not giving up in the second half,” said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson.
The Green Archers took control of the match after scoring six straight points to end the third quarter, courtesy of Mike Phillips and EJ Gollena, bringing the score to 57-51.
In the fourth quarter, Kevin Quiambao, JC Macalalag, and Joshua David traded baskets with the Fighting Maroons before David’s layup off a steal from Chicco Briones pushed La Salle’s lead to 11, 73-62, with 1:42 remaining.
“Coming into this game, different mindset pero same approach pa rin. Hindi ako pwedeng magmukmok kung ano yung performance ko last game. Go with the flow lang ako, hindi ko na iniisip kung ano ‘yung magiging performance ko basta manalo kami this game,” said Quiambao, who went 2-of-17 from the field in their 58-53 escape over Far Eastern University last Wednesday.
The reigning MVP rebounded with 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists in this win over last year’s finals rival.
Phillips contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds in just 22 minutes, while David added 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Macalalag also contributed nine points, while Raven Gonzales added seven points and three rebounds in just four minutes and 18 seconds of floor time.
The Fighting Maroons, who are already locked in at the no. 2 seed, dropped their second straight game, falling to a 9-3 record.
JD Cagulangan led all scorers with 22 points, along with six rebounds, five assists, and four steals for UP.
Rookie Jacob Bayla contributed 10 points, while Aldous Torculas and Reyland Torres added nine and eight points, respectively.
One-and-done center Quentin Millora-Brown missed the game as he had to fly to the United States for his grandfather’s wake. He has been averaging 8.09 points, 8.91 rebounds, and 1.45 blocks this season.
UP will next play against Far Eastern University on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Scores:
DLSU 77 – Quiambao 15, M. Phillips 14, David 12, Macalalag 9, Gonzales 7, Agunanne 6, Gollena 4, Dungo 4, Ramirp 2, Austria 2, Marasigan 2, Rubico 0.
UP 66 – Cagulangan 22, Bayla 10, Torculas 9, Torres 8, Lopez 6, Stevens 3, Fortea 2, Alarcon 2, Alter 2, Briones 2, Felicilda 0, Ududo 0, Abadiano 0, Belmonte 0.
Quarterscores: 12-14, 40-43, 57-51, 77-66.