De La Salle University presented its new head coach Topex Robinson with a triumphant debut.
The Green Archers withstood the Far Eastern University Tamaraws’ late rally, winning 87-76 in their UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament opener on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“It’s really a surreal feeling finally coaching here in the UAAP especially for DLSU. Just so grateful for the opportunity to be here with these fine gentlemen here,” said Robinson on his winning debut.
Leading the way in presenting Robinson with the Green Archers’ gift were Evan Nelle, who narrowly missed a triple-double with 15 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds, and Kevin Quiambao, who had an impressive double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Still, La Salle had to dig deep to get this one.
Trailing by as much as 17 in the fourth period, the Tamaraws displayed their resilience, narrowing the gap to seven points with 2:16 left, thanks to the contributions of Jorick Bautista, Patrick Sleat, Xyrus Torres, and Royce Alforque, making it 73-80.
However, CJ Austria halted the Tamaraws’ comeback with a layup, followed by a Kevin Quiambao-Mike Phillips alley-oop connection, extending the Green Archers’ lead to 84-73 with just 1:14 remaining.
Phillips contributed 13 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, while Austria and Francis Escandor added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
“There’s a lot of room for improvement but that’s where rule number one for us comes in which is always use your best judgment. Given these guys are talented, you just have to give them the floor,” added Robinson, who will figure in his first La Salle-Ateneo game on Wednesday, 6:00 p.m at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Torres was the highest scorer for FEU with 19 points, including four three-pointers, while Bautista and Sleat contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Ljay Gonzales, playing in his final year with the Tamaraws, struggled from the field, shooting just 3-of-15 to finish with nine points, along with 10 rebounds and five assists, but also five turnovers.
FEU aims to bounce back against National University on Wednesday at the same venue.
The Scores:
DLSU (87) — Nelle 15, Quiambao 14, M. Phillips 13, Austria 12, Escandor 11, Nonoy 8, B. Phillips 4, Abadam 2, Manuel 2, Nwankwo 2, Policarpio 2, Macalalag 2, Gollena 0, David 0.
FEU (76) — Torres 19, Bautista 12, Sleat 11, Gonzales 9, Añonuevo 8, Alforque 4, Ona 4, Bagunu 3, Faty 2, Tempra 2, Competente 2.
Quarterscores: 24-19, 48-39, 67-55, 87-76.
