MICHAEL Phillips made sure that there won't be any repeat as La Salle redeemed itself with a 77-68 triumph over first round tormentors University of the East on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The fourth-year forward got off to a fast start, uncorking 20 of his 27 points in the first half, to go with 17 rebounds as he kept the Green Archers' four-game win streak going.
His stupendous game, punctuated by a thunderous dunk with 2:10 left made it a 73-65 affair to secure the victory as they staved off the Red Warriors' late uprising.
It ended UE’s five-game win streak to fall to a 5-3 card.
READ: Mike Phillips' story of faith goes beyond the basketball
Phillips, who also dished out five assists and had two blocks and one steal, more than made up for the off-game of Kevin Quiambao, though the reigning Season and Finals MVP still was able to contribute 10 points, six boards, and two assists for the Taft side’s cause.
Not to be outdone were the supporting crew, with JC Macalalag notching 10 points and five rebounds, Vhoris Marasigan chipping in nine points and five boards, and Joshua David once again orchestrating the offense with his eight points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Aside from sending a strong message to open the first round to remain atop the standings at 7-1, this also allows La Salle to move on from the alleged spitting issue during that last game against University of the Philippines that has embroiled coach Topex Robinson over the past week.
READ: No sanctions as Topex, Torres just get warnings for alleged spitting incident
Still, the champion coach doesn’t want that issue to overshadow this win, giving credit to his players for getting this redemption win.
“The players really fought well. They know the experience of losing to UE. We just rekindled that and reminded them that it will take a lot of effort to really beat this well-coached team,” said Robinson.
Indeed, UE gave La Salle everything it could handle, with Precious Momowei lording over the Recto crew with 21 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks.
But the Green Archers did not make the same mistakes of sleepwalking this time out, making sure that they don’t let the Red Warriors get the better of them as evidenced by the 53 to 30 rebounding discrepancy.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 77 – M. Phillips 27, Quiambao 10, Macalalag 10, Marasigan 9, David 8, Abadam 6, Ramiro 3, Gollena 2, Gonzales 2, Austria 0, Agunanne 0, Dungo 0.
UE 68 – Momowei 21, Abate 11, Maga 9, Wilson 8, J. Cruz-Dumont 7, Galang 6, Lingolingo 2, Fikes 2, Malaga 2, Mulingtapang 0, H. Cruz-Dumont 0.
Quarters: 14-14, 36-37, 63-54, 77-68.
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.
