DEFENDING champion La Salle made sure of rolling to a runaway victory yesterday.
The Green Archers dismantled the Adamson University Soaring Falcons 82-52 for their second straight win and the early lead in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A three-pointer by Matthew Rubico pegged the final count and more importantly put the game to bed that sparked a mini-celebration from the La Salle bench but not Archers coach Topex Robinson, who insisted their winning margin does not matter.
Only if his troops can sustain their grit.
“We didn’t really look at the score. We were just playing basketball. Again, we try to keep the energy,” Robinson said. “That’s why we pretty much use everybody just so we have the same energy.
“Again, that’s just who we are in what we do and again, we just try to fight our own selves,” he added.
Reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao uncorked 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while adding five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block for La Salle.
Rookie Doy Dungo also had a breakout game, sinking all five of his triples for 15 markers while 6-foot-11 Nigerian center Henry Agunanne posted a double-double of 11 and 16 as the Archers scored a big follow up to a 78-75 come-from-behind win against the National University Bulldogs last Sunday.
“At the start of the game, I was out of rhythm, but coach Topex told me that I’d get my redemption, so I just kept fighting and playing defense,” Agunanne said.
Adamson’s fourth-year big man Cedrick Manzano was the lone Falcon in double digits with 15 points and eight rebounds. Matthew Montebon and Manu Anabo contributed seven points each.
The loss that came on the heels of its 59-47 triumph over Far Eastern University four nights back dropped Adamson to 1-1.
