Defending champion De La Salle University hammered out an 80-65 win over rival Ateneo to score its seventh consecutive win in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament Saturday evening, Oct. 26, at Mall of Asia Arena.

After clinching the first Final Four spot, the Green Archers were nothing but impressive, unleashing big hits especially in the fourth frame thanks to Kevin Quiambao’s another stellar outing to deny the Blue Eagles’ late rally.

Quiambao, the reigning MVP, posted another monster statline of career-high 33 points – 18 in the first half – on top of 13 rebounds and two assists. He also drilled five triples of La Salle’s 10 3-point field goals.

“Good win, pero malayo pa kami sa gusto naming puntahan,” said Quiambao. “Sabi ni coach bakawin ko na eh, kaya binakaw ko na.”

Joshua David and EJ Gollena provided nine apiece in La Salle’s second win against its archrival to following its 74-61 victory over Ateneo last Sept. 15. The triumph also marked the first sweep by the Green Archers over the Blue Eagles since 2013.

Chalking up his career-high as well, Jared Bahay cashed in 22 markers – the lone double-digit scorer for Ateneo – while Chris Koon, Kristian Porter, and Shawn Tuano added 9, 8 and 8 points in a losing effort.

Aside from its seven-game win streak, the Taft-based squad remains atop of the standings with 10-1 card while Ateneo went down as it endures its seventh defeat for a 3-7 win-loss record.

The Topex Robinson-mentored squad immediately made its presence felt, dropping a 15-4 run then preserved its advantage heading into the break, 42-33.

Mike Phillips had a quiet four points but collared 13 rebounds.

La Salle’s breakaway was sufficient to spoil Bahay and Koon’s run for Ateneo in the waning minutes of the final salvo.

Earlier, University of the East showed no signs of rust as it demolished National University, 74-58, for a bounce back win.

In spite of a low-scoring game, the Red Warriors found ways on the offensive end especially in the second half where they built a 69-46 lead engineered by Precious Momowei, Ethan Galang and Wello Lingolingo.

With its win, UE boosted its Final Four bid and improved its record to 6-3 for third place, while NU was pushed even further with a 2-8 card.

The Recto-based squad also completed its sweep against NU this season after beating them, 57-51, last Sept. 28.

Momowei starred for UE off another double-double performance of 17 points and 17 rebounds while Galang and Lingolingo backstopped him with 17 and 12 points, respectively.

Earlier in women’s basketball, NU continued its dominant run as it notched its ninth straight win via a 103-48 annihilation of UE (1-8).

Camille Clarin led the balanced attack of the Lady Bulldogs as she tallied 16 points along with her five teammates who also finished with double-digit scoring to remain atop and stay as the only perfect team in the distaff side. Jearzy Ganade chipped in 17 points in a losing cause for UE.

In other games, Ateneo (5-5) ended its three-game losing skid after beating rival La Salle (2-8) to keep its playoff contention.

Men's basketball

The scores:

(First game) 

UE (74) – Momowei 17, Lingolingo 14, Galang 12, Maga 9, Abate 6, J. Cruz-Dumont 5, Fikes 3, Mulingtapang 2, Wilson 2, Robles 2, Spandonis 2, H. Cruz-Dumont 0, Malaga 0, Finney 0, Go 0, Jimenez 0.
NU (58) – Garcia 12, Manansala 11, Figueroa 9, Enriquez 7, Palacielo 7, Parks 3, Lim 3, Tulabut 3, Perciano 2, Santiago 1, Padrones 0, Jumamoy 0, Dela Cruz 0, Francisco 0.
Quarterscores: 13-6, 28-24, 53-35, 74-58

(Second game)

DLSU (80) – Quiambao 33, David 9, Gollena 9, Austria 7, Marasigan 7, Macalalag 5, M. Phillips 4, Ramiro 3, Gonzales 2, Dungo 1, Agunanne 0.
Ateneo (65) – Bahay 22, Koon 9, Porter 8, Tuano 8, Espinosa 6, Lazaro 6, Quitevis 5, Bongo 1, Balogun 0, Ong 0, Gamber 0, Espina 0.
Quarterscores: 17-11, 42-33, 63-48, 80-65