De La Salle University ended University of the Philippines’s seven-game winning run with a dominant final period, 82-80, for joint fourth in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament, Sunday in front of 13,092 fans inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Prior to the endgame, UP’s James Spencer made a triple at the 5:14 mark of the fourth that knotted the scoreline at 69.
Then Green Archers’ Mike Phillips, Mark Nonoy, Abadam, and Quiambao connected for 10 straight points to go up double digits with 1:13 left, 79-69.
But Fighting Maroons JD Cagulangan made an and-one, before La Salle gave up two turnovers that translated to a Zavier Lucero triple with 23.7 seconds left to pull them within four, 75-79.
Quiambao then saw himself tested on the line. He split his charities, opening up the opportunity for Cagulangan to drain a triple from the edge of the MOA logo with 12.5 ticks to go, 78-80.
The 6-foot-4 point forward was fouled anew but this time, he made both free throws. Cagulangan missed his three-point attempt on the other end before Malick Diouf made a buzzer-beater – just a layup.
“I must give it to the guys. Proud of the way they played today. We got down by 12 but we regrouped,” said Green Archers coach Derrick Pumaren.
The Fighting Maroons led by as much as 12 in the third frame, but Nonoy willed La Salle’s comeback with 13 points there.
Quiambao scored 13 of his 18 points in the fourth to go with nine rebounds, while Nonoy finished with 15 points.
“‘Yung first half ko two points lang ako. Bumalik ‘yung memory ng first game na rookie jitters nga sabi ko sa sarili ko hindi pwede mangyari uli yun,” said Quiambao.
Evan Nelle got nine points and seven assists, while Mike Phillips took care of the boards with 14 rebounds with eight points as the Green Archers improve to 5-6 along with Adamson University.
UP (10-2) was led by Lucero’s 15 points and six rebounds, while Carl Tamayo had 14 points and seven rebounds. Both were limited in scoring in the second half with the former only having three while the latter just had five.
Spencer tallied 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Diouf made 11 points and 11 rebounds.
La Salle looks at another huge clash on Wednesday against National University at 1:00 PM. On the other hand, UP opens the day at 11:00 AM against University of Santo Tomas.
The Scores:
La Salle 82 — Quiambao 18, Nonoy 15, Austria 10, Nelle 9, M. Phillips 8, Abadam 8, B. Phillips 5, Nwankwo 5, Macalalag 4, Estacio 0, Cortez 0.
UP 80 — Lucero 15, Tamayo 14, Spencer 12, Diouf 11, Cagulangan 8, Alarcon 8, Gonzales 4, Galinato 4, Calimag 4, Abadiano 0, Ramos 0.
Quarterscores: 14-18, 35-41, 59-63, 82-80.
