It could have been the other way around, but De La Salle showed great poise that is surely the image of a championship team.

University of the Philippines was unbeaten in six games but not until the State U came face to face with the reigning kings who delivered a 68-56 win on Sunday night, Oct. 6, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

It was a statement victory, one that the Green Archers needed to give the Maroons a big warning heading to the second round of the UAAP Season 87.

But it didn't fall on a silver platter, not against UP that has a talented crew oozing with confidence and hungrier than ever.

La Salle's main man Kevin Quiambao knew they had to prepare against the biggest threats to their title-retention bid.

For that to happen, they carried the lessons of a shocking loss to University of the East two weeks ago. It worked well.

“Nag-players meeting kami and sinabi lang namin na pressure is privilege… simula no’ng natalo kami sa UE, nag-stick lang kami sa system namin, sinacfrice ko ‘yong role ko as a veteran” said Quiambao.

The chinks on their armor were vividly displayed after losing to the Red Warriors, 75-71. It was the Archers' only loss in the first round.

Quiambao said the defeat was painful but necessary. It was a wake-up call.

“Good thing na nangyari ‘yon. Do’n namin na napagtanto na sundin lagi ‘yong coaches. Kasi no’ng first four games namin lihis ‘yong gusto system namin sa gusto namin gawin,” he continued. “Sinacrifice lang, pinagtrabuhan namin ‘to ng ilang buwan eh, kaya confident kami na kaya namin silang talunin.” 

Quiambao had ample support from JC Macalalag, EJ Gollena and Joshua David to seal the deal for La Salle and shattered UP’s goal of a first-round sweep.

That gave La Salle the top seed, although for assistant coach Gian Nazario, there's a lot to improve and to fix for his wards.

“We still have a lot to work on, a lot to learn, kasi if masatisfy na kami dito that will be our downfall,” Nazario said. “Practice lang ulit… we enjoy the win, but tomorrow's another day."