In an epic defined by heart-stopping drama and clutch heroics, Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips refused to go down, willing De La Salle University to a breathtaking 76-75 triumph over the University of the Philippines to force a winner-take-all Game 3 in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Finals.
With 17,112 fans packed inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the Green Archers showed resilience, delivering a moment for the ages on Wednesday night.
The winner-takes-all Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Finals is set for Sunday at 5:30 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This marks the Green Archers’ 10th Game 3 appearance in the Final Four era.
“I guess we made the necessary stops in the endgame and just gave ourselves the opportunity to really connect from the outside. I don’t know what happened or what transpired, but we’re so grateful that we get to see another day and play another championship game,” said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For the Fighting Maroons, the loss marked their fifth consecutive defeat in a Game 2 situation.
This is also their first loss this season after leading in the third quarter, where they had previously been 12-0.
UP held a commanding 71-63 lead with 5:12 left in the game before Quiambao turned the tide, capitalizing on a mix of skill and luck.
The 6-foot-6 forward hit two crucial triples, including a catch-and-shoot dagger from the top of the key over the outstretched arms of Quentin Millora-Brown – putting La Salle ahead 74-73 with 1:30 remaining.
Millora-Brown answered with a layup on the other end, but Phillips reclaimed the lead for La Salle with a hook shot, making it 76-75 with 1:07 left on the clock.
UP’s Francis Lopez had multiple chances to shift the momentum, but he missed all four of his free throws in crunch time. Phillips, not to be outdone, also missed two crucial freebies with 19.6 seconds remaining.
Lopez secured the rebound off Phillips’ second miss but threw an errant pass intended for JD Cagulangan, turning the ball over to La Salle.
Quiambao, sent to the free-throw line with 12.1 seconds left, also missed both attempts.
That gave UP one final opportunity to win the game.
Lopez recovered the rebound but struggled to control the ball, eventually passing to Gerry Abadiano, who attempted a three-pointer from the right corner. The shot missed badly, sealing La Salle’s comeback win after their Game 1 loss, 65-73.
Quiambao finished with a game-high 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting, along with nine rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
“God is so good – not just because we won, but because He’s been with us through the highs and lows,” said Phillips, who contributed 18 points, 12 rebounds, and two steals in the victory.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For UP, Cagulangan spearheaded the charge with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Lopez also tallied 16 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks, but his missed opportunities in the endgame proved costly.
Abadiano chipped in 16 points, while Millora-Brown, UP’s Game 1 hero, added 11 points and eight rebounds.
Reyland Torres was ejected late in the fourth quarter after incurring his second unsportsmanlike foul at the 2:58 mark for stopping a fastbreak attempt without making a play for the ball.
His first infraction occurred at the 5:33 mark of the third quarter after he inadvertently struck Gollena in the face.
The Scores:
DLSU 76 – Quiambao 22, Phillips 18, Gollena 9, Macalalag 9, Gonzales 8, Austria 5, David 3, Agunanne 2, Marasigan 0, Ramiro 0, Rubico 0.
UP 75 – Cagulangan 16, Lopez 16, Abadiano 16, Millora-Brown 11, Torres 5, Alarcon 5, Torculas 2, Ududo 2, Stevens 2, Felicilda 0, Bayla 0, Fortea 0.
Quarterscores: 28-22, 39-36, 54-62, 76-75.
