In true MVP style, Kevin Quiambao delivered another signature game-winner to power defending champion De La Salle with his late heroics in a tight opening affair against National University, 78-75, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday night, Sept. 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The reigning tournament MVP was a clear picture of might as he turned in nine of his game-high 22-point performance in the last three minutes of the last period to secure the hard-fought victory for the Green Archers through a 14-4 finishing kick. 

Apart from Quiambao, Mike Phillips listed a double-double performance with 12 points on top of 11 rebounds to keep his contributions well-rounded, while EJ Gollena added 10 markers to prove his worth in his new starting role for the Green Archers. 

In a brief moment of weakness, La Salle saw itself trailing 64-71 with five minutes left in the contest after constant back-and-forth with the NU side.

Before their opening bid completely crashed and burned, though, Earl Abadam knocked a jumper followed by two freebies to pull La Salle within three, 68-71, with 3:31 left to go. 

In the following sequence, Quiambao took matters into his own hands as he had done multiple times in the past year after draining a triple to lock the game at 71-all. 

However, PJ Palacielo refused to let NU go down without a determined fightback as he sank a much-needed layup in the next possession. 

Just when the Green Archers finally regained the upper hand with Quiambao’s crucial and-1 layup, Jolo Manansala brought the game into another deadlock at 75-all. 

But it was the last time the Bulldogs will get their fighting chance as Quiambao showcased how he's fitting right in in his new role and knocked down another shot from long range to have the last laugh in the tightly-contested meeting. 

NU veterans Palacielo and Jake Figueroa led the way for the Bulldogs with 15 points each as they came up short of a stunner. 

The Scores:

DLSU 78 – Quiambao 22, Phillips 12, Gollena 10, Abadam 8, Gonzales 6, Ramiro 6, Macalalag 5, David 4, Dungo 2, Aguanne 2, Marasigan 1, Konov 0.

NU 75 – Figueroa 15, Palacielo 15, Manansala 10, Padrones 7, Jumamoy 6, Francisco 6, Enriquez 4, Yu 2, Dela Cruz 2, Garcia 2, Perciano 2, Santiago 2, Lim 2, Lim 2, Diasanna 0.

Quarterscores: 23-18, 45-45, 60-65, 78-75