After a subdued second-half performance in Game One of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Finals, De La Salle University star Kevin Quiambao chose to remain quiet, politely declining media interviews.
Quiambao, the presumptive MVP of the season, scored 18 of his 19 points in the first half.
However, the all-around 6-foot-7 forward managed just one point – a technical free throw – in the second half as University of the Philippines moved closer to the championship with a 73-65 victory.
Adding to La Salle’s struggles, Quiambao’s renowned passing game faltered, with six turnovers and only one assist in the loss.
Head coach Topex Robinson credited UP’s defensive strategies for stifling Quiambao and disrupting La Salle’s rhythm.
“Just like what I said, they did a great job in stopping KQ,” shared Robinson.
“We weren’t able to make adjustments down the line. At this point, it’s just a matter of us really learning from this experience.”
Despite the setback, Robinson emphasized the importance of staying positive.
“The only thing that I told the team is that there’s a reason this is a series. You don’t win the championship by just winning one game. You need to win two games, so we still have a chance. We’ve been in this situation before. We just have to keep on being positive,” Robinson said.
“The players in the dugout just reminded each other to stay positive and learn from this experience.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Acknowledging the caliber of their opponents, Robinson added: “Again, that’s a tough team. They’re one of the best. We just have to slug it out with them this Wednesday.”
The Green Archers now face a familiar challenge – needing a Game Two win to force a decisive Game Three.
It’s a scenario reminiscent of last season, where La Salle bounced back after losing the series opener to claim the championship.
However, Robinson isn’t dwelling on the past. For him, what matters is how the team responds in the present moment.
He praised his players for their unity and refusal to engage in finger-pointing, emphasizing the importance of fostering a supportive team culture.
“The good thing about the team in the dugout was nobody was blaming anybody,” Robinson explained. “We’ve gone this far because of how we became a united front. We will not let any negativity get in our way. We will play this championship the way we should play it – as a big family.”
Robinson reflected on the challenges of the journey, saying: “Hindi naman palaging flowers and rainbows yung makikita mo. We’re gonna go through those rough patches, and it’s just gonna define us as a team. As long as we always do it right – playing right, honoring this game that we love, and it’s always been good to us – we will not be defined by just losing a game. Whether we lose the next two games, we don’t really care.”
He concluded with a heartfelt reminder of the team’s principles: “What’s important to us is we stick to what we live for: we take care of each other, and we protect each other. That’s the most important thing.”
The Green Archers will aim to even the series this Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with their championship hopes on the line.
