BACK-TO-BACK MVP Kevin Quiambao delivered a stellar fourth-quarter performance, while Mike Phillips showcased unwavering tenacity all night, propelling De La Salle to a thrilling 76-75 victory over the University of the Philippines in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Finals.
The win, witnessed by 17,112 roaring fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, forces a do-or-die Game 3.
The series decider is set for Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I guess we made the necessary stops in the endgame and that gave us the opportunity to connect from the outside. I don’t know what happened exactly, but we’re so grateful we get to see another day and play another championship game,” said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson, who is entering his second Game 3 in as many years as Green Archers head coach.
The Fighting Maroons seemed poised for victory, holding a 71-63 lead with 5:12 remaining before Quiambao took over, aided by some miscues from UP.
The 6-foot-6 forward from Muntinlupa scored six points on consecutive three-pointers, including a clutch catch-and-shoot from the top of the key over the outstretched arms of Quentin Millora-Brown, giving La Salle a 74-73 lead with 1:30 left.
Millora-Brown answered with a layup to put UP back on top, but Phillips responded with a hook shot at the 1:07 mark, reclaiming the lead for La Salle at 76-75.
Francis Lopez of UP had four opportunities to shift momentum but missed all four free throws. Phillips also missed two crucial free throws with 19.6 seconds left, giving UP one last chance.
Lopez grabbed the rebound but turned the ball over with an errant pass to JD Cagulangan. Quiambao was then sent to the line but missed both free throws, setting up one final opportunity for UP with 12.1 seconds to play.
Lopez secured another rebound but struggled to maintain control, eventually dishing the ball to Gerry Abadiano in the right corner for a potential game-winner. However, Abadiano’s three-point attempt missed badly, sealing La Salle’s bounce-back win after their 65-73 loss in Game 1.
Quiambao, who was held to just a solitary point in the second half of Game 1, led La Salle with 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting, adding nine rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Phillips contributed 18 points, 12 rebounds, and two steals, to follow up his 17-point, 11-rebound performance in the series opener last Sunday.
“God is so good, not just because we won, but because He has been with us through the highs and lows,” Phillips shared post-game.
UP’s efforts were spearheaded by JD Cagulangan, who tallied 16 points on a 5-of-16 clip, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Lopez also had 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting, nine rebounds, and four blocks but faltered at critical moments.
Abadiano added 16 points, while Millora-Brown, the hero of Game 1 for UP, contributed 11 points and eight rebounds.
All in all, UP shot just 36.8 percent from the field compared to a mighty 46.2-percent clip for La Salle.
Reyland Torres was ejected with 2:58 left in the fourth after incurring his second unsportsmanlike foul. His first infraction came earlier in the third quarter for hitting 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.
