TO be the man, you got to beat the man.
Sunday showed just that as La Salle continued to get the better of the University of the Philippines, 68-56, to re-assert its place atop of UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
Kevin Quiambao put on the finishing touches for the Green Archers, drilling a big three to cap off a 10-2 blast that restored the lead to 12, 65-53, with 3:43 to play to stave off a furious Fighting Maroons rally in front of 16,106 at Mall of Asia Arena.
It’s the kind of performance you expect from the reigning Season and Finals MVP, as he led the defending champions with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists to claim the No. 1 spot at the end of the first round with its 6-1 win-loss record.
Big boost from La Salle's 'other guys'
Joshua David also got in the fun, putting the game under wraps by draining a left corner three with 52.8 seconds to go, as he wound up with 14 points on 4-of-6 from deep, on top of seven boards as the Taft side capitalized on a fast start by taking control with an early 35-15 start.
But this wouldn’t be a Finals rematch without any resistance, especially as Harold Alarcon mounted a comeback for the Fighting Maroons that got them within four, 55-51, with 7:32 remaining.
But La Salle was just too determined to not bow down to its rival anew – all the more after losing both of its preseason encounters - as coach Topex Robinson got contributions from all around late, specifically from backcourt players like David, JC Macalalag, and EJ Gollena.
This Green Archers' triumph also made sure that there won’t be any stepladder this season, as it halted State U's six-game win run and relegated the Diliman side to No. 2.
Alarcon dropped 12 of his 19 points in that spirited third quarter run to get UP within striking distance, but was also held scoreless in the final 10 minutes of the game.
Quentin Millora-Brown chimed in a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds, as the Fighting Maroons missed the services of JD Cagulangan for the second straight game.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 68 – Quiambao 20, David 14, Macalalag 7, Abadam 5, Ramiro 5, Marasigan 5, Phillips 4, Gollena 4, Austria 2, Agunanne 2, Gonzales 0.
UP 56 – Alarcon 19, Millora-Brown 10, Lopez 8, Torres 6, Fortea 5, Belmonte 5, Abadiano 2, Bayla 1, Felicilda 0, Torculas 0, Stevens 0, Ududo 0.
Quarters: 19-13, 38-25, 51-46, 68-56.
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