By NIKOLE JAVIER
As in the past, the game between fierce rivals La Salle and Ateneo drew another massive crowd expecting another dogfight.
On Sunday night, Sept. 15, the Green Archers leaned on a big third quarter show to dismantle the Blue Eagles, 74-61, and stay undefeated in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament before a packed Mall of Asia Arena.
The anticipated tight battle happened only in the first two quarters as the Archers held the Eagles to just four points in the third behind their suffocating defense to pull away for good.
MVP Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips produced a pair of double-double performances to keep La Salle as the only remaining unbeaten team through three outings while sending Ateneo to its worst start under Tab Baldwin with three straight losses.
Quiambao, who was chasing his third triple double in the UAAP after recording a rare two last season, put on another stellar all-around showing of 13 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Phillips, for his part, made the most of his 20-minute action with his own 13-point and 14-rebound effort.
JC Macalalag, who finished with nine points, towed the Green Archers to their biggest advantage of the game at 66-46 early in the fourth quarter.
Shawn Tuano was the lone bright spot for the Blue Eagles with 18 points all on his inside shooting.
Meantime, Adamson ended UST’s two-game winning run with a 69-56 win in the first game.
The scores:
First Game
ADAMSON 69 – Montebon 15, Fransman 11, Mantua 11, Erolon 6, Yerro 5, Calisay 5, Manzano 5, Ramos 5, Barasi 2, Ojarikre 2, Anabo 2, Ronzone 0, Ignacio 0, Dignadice 0.
UST 56 – Cabañero 16, Manaytay 9, Tounkara 7, Paranada 6, Lane 4, Robinson 3, Pangilinan 3, Padrigao 2, Estacio 2, Llemit 2, Laure 2, Acido 0, Crisostomo 0, Mahmood 0.
Quarters: 13-20, 33-32, 52-39, 69-56
Second Game
LA SALLE 74 – Quiambao 13, Phillips 13, Macalalag 9, David 8, Gonzales 7, Gollena 6, Dungo 6, Abadam 6, Ramiro 2, Agunanne 2, Marasigan 2, Konov 0, Rubico 0.
ATENEO 61 – Tuano 18, Bongo 9, Bahay 8, Porter 8, Espina 6, Lazaro 6, Balogun 3, Quitevis 2, Espinosa 1, Gamber 0, Ong 0.
Quarters: 21-18, 44-40, 59-44, 74-61.
