WHEN Batman is off, expect Robin to step up.
And as Kevin Quiambao was throwing bricks on Wednesday, Mike Phillips was the one to take charge for La Salle, as it did just enough to evade the upset ax from Far Eastern University for a hard-earned 58-53 win at Mall of Asia Arena in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
Phillips came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 17 points, including a tough shot over Mo Konateh with 24.1 seconds left that gave the defending champions a 57-51 lead.
Add to that his 15 rebounds, five steals, two assists, and two blocks, and it only highlighted the luxury Taft has in having several talented towers, while also preserving their sole possession of first place at 11-1.
It was also the Green Archers' eighth consecutive victory, claimed even with Quiambao going 2-of-17 from the field.
Already rewarded with a twice-to-beat incentive after University of the East’s loss to FEU over the weekend, La Salle found itself playing catch-up early on as it fell behind, 24-12.
But they then responded with a superb 24-2 charge, including 18 unanswered points to take a 36-26 lead in the third frame and set up the frantic finish.
“We just have to give it to FEU. We just tried to grind it out with them, keep it simple on our end, and make it a boring game by not running with them,” said coach Topex Robinson.
To help offset Quiambao's off-game, JC Macalalag also added nine points, as well as a pair of rebounds and assists, while rookie Doy Dungo chipped in eight points, five boards, two assists, a steal, and a block.
FEU a problem, indeed
While the near-miss stings for the Tamaraws, this is just their second loss in the second round, as they continue proving coach Sean Chambers correct with his prediction that they will be a force to reckon with.
Though they fell to 4-8, Mo Konateh played big with a 14-point, 27-rebound double-double and did his best to help his side overome Jorick Bautista missing all of his nine shots.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 58 – M. Phillips 17, Macalalag 9, Quiambao 8, Dungo 8, Marasigan 4, David 3, Gonzales 3, Austria 2, Ramiro 2, Agunanne 2, Gollena 0, Konov 0.
FEU 53 – Konateh 14, Pre 12, Pasaol 11, Alforque 11, Anonuevo 3, Daa 2, Bautista 0, Montemayor 0, Ona 0, Bagunu 0, Nakai 0.
Quarters: 10-19, 28-26, 40-41, 58-53.
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