Kevin Quiambao for the win and the defending champion DLSU Green Archers survive on a close call to start UAAP Season 87.
The UAAP is still KQ’s world.
Kevin Quiambao made the game-winning three as the DLSU Green Archers staged a comeback win over the NU Bulldogs, 78-75, to open their title defense in UAAP Season 87 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, September 8.
After looking vulnerable against the Bulldogs for most of the game, the reigning MVP took it upon himself to lead the Green Archers in the endgame.
Quiambao drilled the game-winning triple with 9.8 seconds remaining as he dug the Green Archers out of a fourth-quarter hole for a 1-0 start to their title retention bid.
Midway through the final canto, NU was ahead by seven points, 71-64, following big games from Jake Figueroa and PJ Palacielo. At that point, it looked like the Bulldogs were primed for another stunner against the defending champions.
But with a no-quit mentality, Quiambao bucked tough defense to spark an 11-2 run by the Green Archers, flipping the script on the upset-seeking Bulldogs.
After an overturned out of bounds play that gave the ball to La Salle, Quiambao attacked the basket and drew an and-one play to give champs a 75-73 lead with 1:35 ticks remaining.
Still, the adversity didn’t stop there as Ian Manansala scored for the Bulldogs to bring the game to a deadlock, 75-all, with 1:21 left.
Both teams had multiple attempts to seize the lead before Quiambao’s game winner, but La Salle’s insistent crashing on the offensive boards helped the Topex Robinson-led squad come away with the close victory.
As defending champions, Robinson said that it was expected that teams will go hard against them and that more often than not, games like this will come their way.
“Well, we know as advertised [that] most of the games that we’re gonna play are going to be like this. What’s good about this experience against NU [is that it’s] gonna make us better,” said Robinson.
“We really have to find ways to win. We know that all teams are gonna be out there guns blazing every time that they’re going to be up against us,” he added.
Quiambao finished with a game-high 22 points, along with eight rebounds and seven assists. Mike Phillips provided invaluable support with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
For NU, Figueroa and Palacielo finished with 15 markers each. The latter also had a double-double with 12 rebounds as well.
Manansala contributed 10 points, four rebounds, and two steals.
La Salle gets its next test against the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Wednesday, September 11, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. NU, meanwhile, faces off against FEU on Saturday, September 14, still at the Big Dome.