MANILA – University of the East Red Warriors overcame a late run by De La Salle University Green Archers for a 75-71 victory in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Leading 71-59 with over two minutes left, the Green Archers went on a run behind Michael Phillips and Kevin Quiambao to cut the deficit to 71-73 with under a minute in the game.
The Green Archers had a chance to tie the game but Quiambao misfired his two free throws. The Red Warriors then sealed the win with two free throws from John Abate with 4.4 seconds left.
Abate led the way for the Red Warriors with 20 points, including three three-pointers, while Wello Lingo Lingo and Gerard Wilson contributed 18 and 10, respectively, as the Red Warriors improved to a 2-2 win-loss slate.
“I want to give credit sa mga boys ko kasi during practices pa lang nakikita ko na ‘yung intensity sa kanila, and I just told them we need to have a good start and as much as possible to keep the game close,” said UE head coach Jack Santiago.
Quiambao top-scored for the Green Archers with 17 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while Philips and Vhoris Marasigan contributed 16 and 10, respectively, as they dropped to 3-1.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons leaned on a strong start before holding off Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 69-58, to take solo lead with its 4-0 win-loss slate.
Francis Lopez led the way with 13 points and four rebounds, while Quentin Millora-Brown finished with a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Fighting Maroons.
From a slim 19-15 lead after the first quarter, the Fighting Maroons created separation in the second frame with a 20-7 scoring run behind inside hits by Millora-Brown to take a 39-22 halftime lead.
The Fighting Maroons continued their run in the second half, with Lopez attacking the defense to establish their largest lead at 25 points before the Tamaraws managed to cut the final margin to 11 points./PN
BOX SCORE:
UE 75 – Abate 20, Lingo Lingo 18, Wilson 10, Galang 7, Maga 7, Mmomowei 5, Cruz-Dumont 5, Fikes 3, Jimenez 0, Mulingtapang 0, Malaga 0.
DLSU 71 – Quiambao 17, Phillips 16, Marasigan 10, Agunanne 8, Gollena 6, Macalalag 5, Gonzales 3, Davis 2, Dungo 2, Abadam 2, Ramiro 0.
Quarterscores: 28-11, 42-38, 56-50, 75-71.
