By Jun Ray Navarres
University of the Philippines recorded its sixth straight win against persistent De La Salle University, 67-64 to maintain a spotless sheet in UAAP S86 Men’s Basketball, Wednesday evening at the MOA Arena.
From a 59-50 advantage going into the final frame, UP’s lead slowly went down to a deadlock of 63 with Kevin Quiambao, Michael Phillips, and Joshua David’s effort for DLSU’s 11-0 run.
Gerry Abadiano’s baseline jumper gave UP a breather, 65-63 but Phillips refused to go down easily, splitting his trip to the charity line to cut the lead to 1, 65-64.
With only 15.5 ticks left, the Fighting Maroons outplayed DLSU, burning 12.4 seconds before fouling Malick Diouf. The Green Archers then went on to send Reyland Torres at the 15-ft line to which he calmly converted into a 67-64 lead for UP.
La Salle still had 2.9 seconds left to work with, but CJ Cansino snatched Joaquin Manuel’s inbound pass to Quiambao, securing UP’s sixth win of the season.
“We started medyo flat on both ends ‘nong first half. Ang difference para sa akin ‘nong first and second half would be ‘yong defense naming sa second half was much better,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
“’Yong mga loose ball, we were really working for mga loose ball na mga narerecover namin. It’s all about wanting it more siguro for us”
Abadiano went for 13 points while Harold Alarcon made 10 points including 8 rebounds. Diouf produced a double-double of 10 points and 18 rebounds to go with two blocks.
UP was able to overturn DLSU’s 12-3 run in the second period with their own 21-3 quarter scoring at the third period, limiting the Green Archers to only a single field goal made out of 21.
The Fighting Maroons gained their much needed confidence going to the weekend where they will have a rematch with last season’s champion, the Ateneo de Manila University to cap round one.
Featured photo courtesy of UAAP
Photo Gallery at https://www.facebook.com/BurnDotPh/
Follow the writer on X: @burnsports
