Even if they are at the opposite end of the standings, the De La Salle and Ateneo matchup remained as one of the fiercest rivalries in modern UAAP history.

On Sunday night, Sept. 15, defending champion Green Archers cruised past the Blue Eagles, 74-61, in the first round of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament before a packed Mall of Asia Arena. 

MVP Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips conspired with a pair of double-double performances to keep La Salle as the only remaining unbeaten team through three outings while sending Ateneo to its worst start under Tab Baldwin with three straight losses. 

Quiambao, who was chasing his third triple-double in the UAAP after recording a rare two last season, posted a double-double good enough to put La Salle ahead with 13 points that went with 13 rebounds, seven assists and two steals.

Phillips, for his part, made the most of his 20-minute action with his own 13-point, 14-rebounds double double showing as one of the true leaders in the champion team. 

It was JC Macalalag, who finished with nine points, towed the Green Archers to their biggest advantage of the game at 66-46 early in the fourth quarter, with the Blue Eagles hardly getting into their offensive rhythm with their miserable four-point third-quarter showing.  

Shawn Tuano was the lone bright spot for the Blue Eagles with 18 points all on his inside shooting.

The Scores:

DLSU 74 – Quiambao 13, Phillips 13, Macalalag 9, David 8, Gonzales 7, Gollena 6, Dungo 6, Abadam 6, Ramiro 2, Agunanne 2, Marasigan 2, Konov 0, Rubico 0.
     
Ateneo 61 – Tuano 18, Bongo 9, Bahay 8, Porter 8, Espina 6, Lazaro 6, Balogun 3, Quitevis 2, Espinosa 1, Gamber 0, Ong 0.
     
Quarterscores: 21-18, 44-40, 59-44, 74-61.