By NIKOLE JAVIER
De La Salle pulled off a hard-earned 82-80 win against University of the Philippines in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Sunday night, Nov. 20, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Kevin Quiambao finished with 18 points on top of nine rebounds to tow the Green Archers to their second straight win and improve 5-6 in the standings to stay in the hunt for a playoff in the Final Four.
The Green Archers, who were down 12 in the third quarter, 58-46, managed to unleash a 13-point rally to cut down their deficit by four to make it 63-59 heading into the final quarter.
With enough momentum on its side, Earl Abadam knocked down two baskets to put La Salle ahead by two.
However, James Spencer wouldn't come down without a fight for UP and drained a triple which tied the game at 69-all with 5:15 in the contest before La Salle exploded with another 10-0 run capped by Nonoy on the line.
With only a minute to spare, JD Cagulangan and Zavier Lucero drilled back-to-back three-pointers for the Fighting Maroons with 12.5 seconds to play.
Quiambao then was sent to the line and knocked two of his freebies for another four-point advantage for La Salle before Malick Diouf soared for a layup as the clock expired.
“The way they played today we down by 12, but we still regrouped the start of the game. I talked to them there’s no doubt in mind that we can beat UP and only if they play as a team. So, collective effort and everybody contributing. We have not proven anything by beating UP. We just stayed there,” said La Salle head coach Derrick Pumaren.
For UP's side, Lucero had a 15-point finish while Carl Tamayo added 14. Spencer and Diouf contributed 12 and 11, respectively, as it absorbed its second loss after 10 wins.
The Scores: LA SALLE 82 -- Quiambao 18, Nonoy 15, Austria 10, Nelle 9, M. Phillips 8, Abadam 8, B. Phillips 5, Nwankwo 5, Macalalag 4, Estacio 0, Cortez 0.
UP 80 -- Lucero 15, Tamayo 14, Spencer 12, Diouf 11, Cagulangan 8, Alarcon 8, Gonzales 4, Galinato 4, Calimag 4, Abadiano 0, Ramos 0.
Quarters: 14-18, 35-41, 59-63, 82-80.