NINE points.
That was the total output of newly-minted MVP Kevin Quiambao yesterday but his teammates got the job done as La Salle dismantled University of the Philippines 82-60 in Game 2 of their best-of-3 finals duel for the 86th UAAP basketball tournament crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A mammoth crowd of 20,863 showed up–with the UP banner-waving faithful expecting the Fighting Maroons to complete a sweep of the Green Archers.
After being beaten black and blue 67-97 in the opener of the race-to-2 series five days ago, the Taft-based five responded with fire in their eyes, like the team that won nine straight dating back to the second round of the eliminations.
The rubber match for all marbles is set this Wednesday also at the Big Dome.
The Archers’ vaunted defense made life like a living hell for UP.
The 6-foot-7 Quiambao, officially named season MVP before Game 2, made up for his measly offensive outing with 13 rebounds and three blocks. He was good for 11 points in Game 1.
Michael Phillips had nine markers, 13 boards, and three swats while Francis Escandor and Joshua David combined for 26 points even as the Archers forced the usually fiery Maroons offense to crumble with 13 turnovers.
Escandor and David boomed in four three-pointers each, while CJ Austria’s two triples enabled him to finish with 11 markers.
The Archers are out to end a seven-year title dry spell, while UP is seeking a second diadem in three seasons.
La Salle coach Topex said they simply refused to give up after getting bamboozled in Game 1.
“We don’t want to end these finals right away,” Robinson said. “We just gave UP a good fight. Our players really wanted it this time.
“These guys really played with their hearts out. They did their job and we’re happy for them.”
Added Escandor, a Davao native: “I’m just really, really happy that we got the win. Coming from a big loss, we really wanted to bounce back no matter what, our mindset was hindi kami magpapatalo this game. We really wanted to win and we showed it.”
Robinson’s charges took a 44-38 lead at the break and padded it to 65-49 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Archers led by as much as 82-60 that stood as the final count.
Skipper CJ Cansino carried the fight for the Maroons with 11 points and three caroms, while Malick Diouf added 11 and 11.
Harold Alarcon also contributed 10 markers for UP, which played without high-flying Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez due to flu. — With Abby Toralba
