MANILA – De La Salle University Green Archers made short work of National University Bulldogs, 97-73, to reach the finals of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Negrense Mark Nonoy spearheaded the offense with 20 points, including four triples, Kevin Quiambao added 17 markers, while Evan Nelle and Michael Phillips had 15 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Green Archers.
The Green Archers, which owned a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four, will battle the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in a best-of-three finals beginning on Wednesday, November 29, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
This was the Green Archers’ first finals appearance since losing to the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 80. The DLSU is also aiming for their first UAAP crown since 2016.
“We came into this game knowing NU will throw everything at us. We just tried to remind everybody that we are gonna go to the Finals because we are gonna go get it, not to be given to us,” said DLSU head coach Topex Robinson.
Down 10-7 early in the first quarter, the Green Archers unloaded nine straight points behind Nelle and Phillips to take a 16-10 lead before settling for a 20-14 edge after the first 10 minutes.
The Green Archers created separation from the Bulldogs in the second quarter with Nonoy connecting three outside hits while Joshua David and Francis Escandor also had their contributions to establish a 45-36 halftime lead.
DLSU pulled away further in the second half with Escandor unloading five straight points and Quiambao converting from inside as the lead reached as high as 22 points in the fourth quarter.
“Masaya and blessed na meron kaming opportunity na makapaglaro sa Finals. Kailangan naming mag-focus na sa UP and magpahinga para ready kami,” said Quiambao.
Jake Figueroa top-scored with 19 points to go with nine rebounds, while Mike Malonzo and Kean Baclaan added 13 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Bulldogs./PN
BOX SCORE:
DLSU 97 – Nonoy 20, Quiambao 17, Nelle 15, M. Phillips 11, Policarpio 9, Escandor 9, David 5, Cortez 4, Macalalag 4, Abadam 3, Austria 0, Nwankwo 0, Gollena 0.
NU 73 – Figueroa 19, Malonzo 13, Baclaan 12, Palacielo 8, Yu 8, Jumamoy 7, Padrones 2, Manansala 2, Galinato 2, John 0, Enriquez 0, Lim 0, Gulapa 0, Parks 0, Casinillo 0.
Quarterscores: 20-14, 45-36, 70-50, 97-73.
