BEATING mighty La Salle necessitates one to play its A-game for the whole 40 minutes.
University of the East did just that.
The Red Warriors pulled off the seemingly improbable, stunning the Green Archers, 75-71, to inflict the first blemish to the defending champions in their title retention bid this UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
It’s a shocking outcome for the Recto side, which caught fire from deep as they shot 12-of-30 from distance, earning them back-to-back victories after shocking the 6,946 present inside the Mall of Asia Arena.
And they did it with contributions from all around.
John Abate played a career game with 20 points built on a perfect 3-of-3 clip from deep, to go with four rebounds, but most importantly canned two pressure-packed free throws with 3.4 seconds left to complete the monumental upset.
Wello Lingolingo started it off with his hot shooting before wrapping up with 18 points built on six threes, Gjerard Wilson chimed in 10 points, three boards, three steals, and two assists, and despite Precious Momowei only having five points, he did haul 12 rebounds.
“This batch is capable of competing and beating the No. 1 team,” beamed coach Jack Santiago as the Red Warriors improved to 2-2.
“I will give credit sa boys ko 'cause during our practice, I saw the intensity already. I just told them we have a good start and keep the game close.”
Good start and keep the game close? Consider those boxes checked.
UE indeed meant business the moment it stepped onto the court, starting out hot and building an early 28-11 lead.
The red-and-white also did just enough, keeping its grip of the lead even as La Salle rallied from a 71-59 deficit in the final three minutes of the game to as close as just two, 73-71, after a Kevin Quiambao bucket with 28.4 left.
It was also the reigning and defending Season and Finals MVP, however, who uncharacteristically missed two freebies which could have tied the game at 73-all with 15.8 on the clock, leading to Abate putting on the finishing touches with free throws of his own.
Quiambao actually went 4-of-10 from the free throw line, a horrid showing that overshadowed his 17-point. 9-rebound, and 5-assist night.
Michael Phillips also got 16 points and nine boards, while Vhoris Marasigan nabbed 10 in the loss, the Green Archers’ first in four games.
The Scores:
UE 75 – Abate 20, Lingolingo 18, Wilson 10, Galang 7, Maga 7, Momowei 5, J. Cruz-Dumont 5, Fikes 3, Jimenez 0, Mulingtapang 0, Malaga 0.
LA SALLE 71 – Quiambao 17, M. Phillips 16, Marasigan 10, Agunanne 8, Gollena 6, Macalalag 5, Gonzales 3, David 2, Abadam 2, Dungo 2, Ramiro 0.
Quarters: 28-11, 42-38, 56-50, 75-71.
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.
