By NIKOLE JAVIER
University of the Philippines leaned on a huge defensive effort in the third and steely resolve in the fourth to complete a 67-64 come-from-behind win over La Salle in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament before a huge crowd Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Facing the prospect of absorbing their first defeat in six games after falling behind 47-38 at the end of the first half, the Maroons disarmed the Archers with their stifling defense, holding the Taft-based squad to a dismal 1-of-21 shooting from the field.
The booming triple of Kevin Quiambao to kick off the second half and give La Salle its biggest lead at 50-38 was the team’s lone field goal for the third frame.
While the Archers struggled, the Maroons erupted for 21 points which were enough to grab the lead, 59-50, going into the exciting part of the game.
But thanks to their great poise, the Maroons managed to hold their ground in the face of La Salle’s determined comeback.
Gerry Abadiano led UP’s well balanced attack with 13 points and four boards
Malick Diouf and Harold Alarcon both had 10 points apiece, with the reigning MVP tallying 18 rebounds.
La Salle tied the count at 63-all on Quiambao’s basket but Abadiano came through with a tough jumper before Reyland Torres made two pressure-packed charities following a split by Mike Phillips in a wild finish.
With 2.9 seconds to go, the Green Archers had a chance to send the game into overtime with a triple.
But to the consternation of the La Salle supporters, Joaqui Manuel’s inbound pass was intercepted by CJ Cansino which triggered a wild celebrations from UP loyalists.
“We started flat on both ends nung first half. And actually ang different lang sa akin ng first and second half ‘yong defense namin nung second half was much better. At the same time, ‘yong mga loose ball, we were really working for it. Nare-recover namin,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Phillips paced the Green Archers with a double-double performance of 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Quiambao’s 14-point finish was also spoiled by the streaking Fighting Maroons.
La Salle absorbed its back-to-back losses for a 3-3 slate.
The scores:
UP 67 – Abadiano 13, Alarcon 10, Diouf 10, Lopez 7, Cansino 7, Torres 7, Belmonte 7, Cagulangan 6, Felicilda 0, Alter 0, Torculas 0, Pablo 0, Gonzales 0.
DLSU 64 – M. Phillips 15, Quiambao 14, David 7, Manuel 7, Nwankwo 6, Nonoy 5, Austria 5, Abadam 2, Macalalag 2, Policarpio 1, B. Phillips 0, Escandor 0, Gollena 0.
Quarters: 21-28, 38-47, 59-50, 67-64.
