Early MVP frontrunner Kevin Quiambao led La Salle to a dominant 100-69 victory over University of Santo Tomas to kick off the second round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

The Green Archers pulled away from the Growling Tigers after the opening period en route to their second straight win for a 5-3 record in the standings. 

Three La Salle players finished with a double-double performance including the MVP race leader Quiambao, who scattered an all-around effort of 22 points on a 4-of-7 shooting from outside and 12 rebounds to go along with six assists in just 23 minutes of action. 

The Season 85 Rookie of the Year is on track to become the first local league MVP since former Blue Eagles Kiefer Ravena in 2014 and 2015.

Jonnel Policarpio, for his part, tallied 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Evan Nelle delivered 11 markers and 10 assists. 

La Salle was simply too much for UST to overcome as it continued the tireless assault to score the second most lopsided win this season against the same losing side. 

“The first round kinda gave us a back view of where we are as a team. There were a lot of challenges in the first round. I guess what’s good about this coming into the second round is we were able to look at where we can improve on. We know the standings are close and every game will really matter,” said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson. 

In as many games for the Growling Tigers, Nic Cabañero breathed life into their offensive scheme with a 13-point finish. 

UST couldn’t follow up its breakthrough win over Far Eastern University last week that snapped its 19-game losing streak, sinking further to the standings with a 1-7 record. 

The Scores:

DLSU (100) – Quiambao 22, Policarpio 14, Cortez 13, Nelle 11, Gollena 9, Escandor 6, Macalalag 5, Nwankwo 4, B. Phillips 4, Nonoy 4, Abadam 3, David 3, Austria 2, Manuel 0, I. Phillips 0.

UST (69) – Cabañero 13, Manaytay 10, Moore 9, Duremdes 8, Crisostomo 7, Laure 6, Lazarte 5, Llemit 4, Manalang 4, Ventulan 2, Gesalem 1, Pangilinan 0, Magdangal 0, Esmena 0, Calum 0.

Quarterscores: 29-21, 52-38, 75-49, 100-69