By Jun Ray Navarres
Kevin Quiambao and Mark Nonoy stepped up for De La Salle University as they won over University of the East, 86-76 to tally their sixth straight victory in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.
In a rare feat in UAAP history, Quiambao logged his second triple double of the season with 17 points, 19 rebounds, and 12 assists including four steals and two blocks.
Nonoy, on the other hand, finally had his breakout game, tallying seven threes for a personal season high of 25 points to go with four assists and a steal for a plus-24 efficiency.
“I’m just so grateful and blessed to be here again getting this win against UE. I just can’t commend the guys that really stepped up in this game. Guys were just really having fun and just trying to really be disciplined in what we wanna achieve as a team,” said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson.
For every unanswered march of the Red Warriors, the Archers returned the favor with much lengthier runs – including the last 13-0 midway through the final frame for a 77-63 La Salle lead.
Rey Remogat refused to give up for UE, drilling back-to-back threes to inch closer behind La Salle, 77-70 but Quiambao and Nonoy retaliated for seven unanswered points to close the game.
“Sobrang thankful and blessed na nakakuha ako ng personal achievement pero lagi ko ngang sinasabi na ‘yong goal namin is to win the championship and to compete at the highest level,” said Quiambao.
Remogat finished with 22 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and three steals in a possible elimination scenario for UE.
La Salle hopes to boost its twice-to-beat bid against Far Eastern University while UE looks to recover when they face Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Featured photo courtesy of UAAP
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