By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of the Philippines has finally found an antidote to its malady and produced a vibrant 73-65 win over La Salle – its first dating back to the UAAP Finals last season.
In ending their four-game losing run to the Archers, UP coach Goldwin Monteverde had to thank rookie Jacob Bayla.
Solid as a rock, Bayla made life miserable for reigning Kevin Quiambao especially in the final two quarters.
He tightly covered the 6-foot-7 Quiambao like a shadow that saw the Gilas pool member making hurried shots.
“For a rookie to defend Kevin (Quiambao) sa game, showing a lot of heart on his first time to play in the UAAP Finals for me it’s really amazing,” said Monteverde after Game One of the best-of-three final series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday, Dec. 8.
“It’s part of what he did. We prepared for the flow of the game,” he added. “It’s just amazing for him to do that.”
With UP’s air-tight defense, Quiambao was held to one free throw in the final two quarters after exploding for 18 in the first half. In all, Quimbao missed all his six field goal attemptrs as he was effectively shackled by Bayla.
For the 19-year-old Bayla, it was his own way of repaying the trust of the coaching staff – especially Monteverde.
“I just did my best because my coaches trusted me to do it and gave me the opportunity to guard a special player like him (Quiambao,” said Bayla. “It was a great moment for me, KQ is a great player, probably one of the best here, so the pleasure is on me.”
