By NIKOLE JAVIER
The crown is back in Taft. Seven years later, De La Salle is UAAP champion once again.
Newly-crowned Season 86 Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao exploded with a game-high 24 points to lead La Salle past University of the Philippines, 73-69, in the winner-take-all Game 3 of their Finals series on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Facing each other in the finale for the first time in league history, the Green Archers came through with the clutch baskets down the stretch and kept the Fighting Maroons a runner-up for the second consecutive season.
Unlike in their first two encounters that ended in blowout results, the decider was well-fought, with the game going back and forth and neither of the teams giving an inch of space for the entirety of the match.
After suffering the most lopsided defeat of 97-67 in Game 1 and trailing almost throughout the match, La Salle was patient and resilient — and now a champion before the record-breaking crowd of 25,192 that came in droves on a weekday.
In the closing period, La Salle overcame a 57-63 deficit with a telling 13-4 surge capped by Quiambao’s personal seven-point barrage with 4:17 left in the game.
Incidentally, Quiambao played for UP coach Goldwin Monteverde when they were still with NU, dominating the high school division for two years.
It was indeed a great year for Quiambao as he also bagged the Finals MVP with averages of 14.66 points, 9.33 rebounds, 2.33 assists, and 2.0 blocks in the series that reached the distance.
“Mindset lang na leave it all on the court dahil wala na ngang bukas Game 3 na ito win or go home na. Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na kahit maraming nagdoubt sa amin nung first round, ito na kami champion!”said Quiambao, who uncorked 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
For La Salle coach Topex Robinson, it was a memorable first year at the Taft-based squad as he finally quenched his first title as a coach.
He made to the NCAA Finals thrice – one with Alma Mater San Sebastian and two with Lyceum – but failed in all occasions.
Graduating Evan Nelle wasn’t about to go out without the title in his hands — delivering an all-around display of 12 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Green Archers who previously hoisted the trophy in Season 79.
Last year’s MVP and graduating big man Malick Diouf led all scorers in the first half with 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting to pace UP and eventually finish with 21 points.
Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez and Harold Alarcon added 10 points apiece on the losing end.
The scores:
DLSU 73 – Quiambao 24, Nelle 12, Policarpio 8, Nonoy 8, M. Phillips 5, Macalalag 5, Escandor 4, Austria 3, David 3, Cortez 1, Manuel 0, Nwankwo 0, B. Phillips 0, Abadam 0.
UP 69 – Diouf 21, Lopez 12, Alarcon 10, Cagulangan 8, Felicilda 5, Cansino 5, Torculas 4, Abadiano 2, Torres 2, Fortea 0, Pablo 0.
Quarters: 22-21, 39-43, 55-58, 73-69.
