LA Salle just could not fall into the same traps for two games in a row.
Learning from their mistakes after tasting defeat for the first time this season, the Green Archers cleaned up their act and gutted out a 68-62 victory over Far Eastern University on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Kevin Quiambao willed his team to the bounce back with his near-triple-double of 12 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, but this time, Michael Phillips helped him secure the win down the stretch.
Phillips continued his UAAP Season 87-long magnificence down low with 13 points, 14 rebounds, and two assists, but more importantly, made his two freebies with 1:42 remaining to keep the Taft side's head above water, 67-60.
EJ Gollena also cemented the win by splitting a pair of freebies with 10.2 on the clock, as La Salle shot a better 9-of-15 clip from the 15-foot line.
Not an upset, but a wake-up call
It was a huge escape for the Green Archers who had to made a quick pivot after losing to University of the East three days ago.
And for a time, it seemed like the Tamaraws were about to pull off another stunner at the defending champions’ expense especially after they dropped 22 in the third period.
But unlike the last time, Quiambao didn’t need to do the heroics everbody has gotten accustomed to as the other guys made key baskets that helped the La Salle stave off young FEU and climb up to a 4-1 win-loss record.
“It’s just another challenge and opportunity for us,” said coach Topex Robinson, still looking at their last game as a rallying point.
“UE didn’t upset us, they really deserved the win. They really did their job and UE gave us some thing that really helped us. But it kind of cleaned up the pressure of not losing kasi if you’re winning, parang kasalanan na matalo ka eh. But it grounded us.”
The slim loss spoiled a monster outing for Gambian center Mo Konateh who collected 12 points, 25 rebounds, and four blocks for the Tamaraws.
Janrey Pasaol top-scored for still-winless FEU (0-5) with 13 points, three boards, three assists, and three steals against his eight turnovers, while fellow rookie Veejay Pre nabbed 11 points, four rebounds, and three dimes.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 68 – M. Phillips 13, Quiambao 12, Abadam 9, Agunanne 9, Gonzales 8, Gollena 6, Macalalag 3, David 3, Ramiro 3, Marasigan 2, Austria 0, Dungo 0, Rubico 0.
FEU 62 – Pasaol 13, Konateh 12, Pre 11, Bautista 9, Alforque 6, Montemayor 5, Nakai 4, Ona 2, Daa 0, Bagunu 0.
Quarters: 19-13, 38-28, 51-50, 68-62.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
