By NIKOLE JAVIER
MVP frontrunner Kevin Quiambao delivered the first triple-double in five years as La Salle got back at National University, 88-78, in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Green Archers brushed off a gritty Bulldogs side in the opening period to claim their third straight win and improved to 6-3 – thanks largely to Quiambao’s 17 points, 14 assist and 11 rebounds.
That enabled the 6-foot-8 Quiambao the first Green Archer and the only non-guard in the league since when Cansino, then with the University of Santo Tomas, tallied 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists on Oct. 28, 2018.
More importantly, Quiambao’s14 assists are now the league’s new record.
Playing like a man possessed, Quiambao also had four steals.
La Salle took the halftime break enjoying a comfortable 50-39 lead and managed to keep itself ahead en route to the payback victory.
It was also a revenge of sorts for La Salle after an 80-77 overtime defeat in their opening-round encounter.
Omar John and Mike Malonzo paced the Bulldogs with 14 and 10 points, respectively, as the tournament co-leader was handed its second loss of the season for a 7-2 slate.
The scores:
DLSU (88) – Quiambao 17, Policarpio 15, Nelle 14, Nonoy 10, Cortez 9, Macalalag 7, Nwankwo 5, David 4, Escandor 4, Abadam 3, Austria 0, B. Phillips 0, Gollena 0.
NU 78 – John 16, Baclaan 11, Malonzo 10, Lim 10, Figueroa 9, Palacielo 9, Casinillo 6, Gulapa 5, Parks 2, Yu 0, Galinato 0.
Quarters: 24-26, 50-39, 69-55, 88-78.
