De La Salle University averted a collapse against defending World University Basketball Series champion National Chengchi University, escaping with an 87-82 overtime victory to advance to the final on Sunday afternoon at Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
As expected, the reigning UAAP champions leaned on Kevin Quiambao in the clutch to avoid an upset.
Down three early in overtime, the UAAP Season 86 MVP took matters into his own hands. He knocked down back-to-back baskets to give La Salle the lead for good.
EJ Gollena also contributed later on.
When things got tense with the Griffins trying to mount a comeback, Quiambao delivered at the foul stripe.
It was enough to secure the Green Archers’ spot in the one-game final against either the University of Sydney or Korea University on Monday.
Quiambao finished with a game-high 16 points to go with six rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Mike Phillips produced a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
EJ Abadam also stepped up with 13 points, including three triples.
The backcourt duo of Lian Ramiro and JC Macalalag also made significant contributions, with Ramiro tallying nine points and eight rebounds, while Macalalag chipped in eight points.
La Salle led 76-74 with 12.2 seconds left, but a late turnover allowed Hsu Techi to score on a breakaway layup, sending the game into extra time.
The Green Archers advanced to the semis after beating Indonesia’s Perbanas Institute, 117-71, on Saturday.
Wu Zhikai and Boubacar Mboup paced NCCU, with Wu scoring 16 points and Mboup adding 14 points and eight rebounds.
The Scores:
DLSU 87 – Quiambao 17, Phillipes 14, Abadam 13, Ramiro 9, Macalalag 8, Almodovar 6, Austria 6, Dungo 5, Cortez 0, Marasigan 0.
NCCU 82 – Wu 16, Mboup 14, Sung 13, Hsu 11, Chuang 10, Lee 8, Ndiaye S. 8, Lin 2, Ndiaye M. 0, Ma 0.
Quarterscores: 25-15, 51-38, 67-59, 76-76, 87-82.
