MANILA – Kevin Quiambao delivered clutch hits as De La Salle University Green Archers prevailed over University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 88-79, in UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball on Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Most Valuable Player award frontrunner finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals as the Green Archers moved up to third place in the standings with 7-3 win-loss slate.
Holding to a 66-59 advantage after three quarters, the Green Archers were stunned by a huge rally by the Fighting Maroons behind Crispin John Cansino, Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano and Chicco Briones to take a 75-74 lead.
Quiambao then stepped up for the Green Archers as he scored the next 10 points for the Green Archers to restore order for his side, erecting an 84-77 advantage with 1:49 to go.
Cansino made a long two to cut the deficit to 79-84 for the Fighting Maroons, but Evan Nelle drained the off-the-board top of the key three-pointer with 22.9 seconds left to widen Green Archers’ lead to 87-79.
“We had a chance the last time we played them, but things didn’t go our way. We just came here trying to be the better version of ourselves,” said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson.
Nelle chipped in 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists, Michael Phillips had a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds while Jonnel Policarpio and Francis Escandor contributed 11 markers apiece for the Green Archers.
Cansino had 20 points to lead the way for the Fighting Maroons while Ernest Felicilda contributed 13 points, nine rebounds, and five assists as they dropped to an 8-2 win-loss record.
Meanwhile, Noy Remogat’s season-high outing did not go in vain, leading University of the East Red Warriors (4-6) to an 87-86 overtime victory over Far Eastern University Tamaraws (3-7).
Remogat dropped 34 points as he became the first Red Warrior to score 30-plus points in a game since Alvin Pasaol dropped 32 in a 66-80 loss to University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in UAAP Season 81./PN
BOX SCORE:
DLSU 88 – Quiambao 22, Nelle 17, M. Phillips 15, Policarpio 11, Escandor 11, Nonoy 3, Abadam 3, Cortez 2, Austria 2, Manuel 2, B. Phillips 0, David 0, Macalalag 0, Nwankwo 0.
UP 79 – Cansino 20, Felicilda 13, Alarcon 10, Abadiano 9, Pablo 6, Briones 5, Torculas 4, Lopez 4, Alter 2, Belomonte 2, Torres 2, Fortea 2, Gagate 0.
Quarterscores: 22-14, 51-39, 66-59, 88-79.
