By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The same storyline, same result.
In a rematch of last year’s finals series, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers proved why they are still the kryptonite of the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons after spoiling them of a perfect first-round record, 68-56, in the ongoing UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
A total of 16,106 fans in attendance witnessed how the Green Archers picked the Fighting Maroons apart, capping off the end of the first round with a wire-to-wire victory against their arch-rivals in the collegiate hoops league.
It was a highly physical battle between the top two teams but DLSU managed to stay composed despite seeing their double-digit lead evaporate when UP finally woke up in the pivotal third frame.
It was all DLSU in the first half as the duo of Kevin Quiambao and Joshua David torched the UP perimeter defense with their efficient three-point shooting.
Aside from their waxing hot offense, the Green Archers also put the clamps down and held the Fighting Maroons to one of their worst three-point shooting performances in the ongoing season.
DLSU ballooned its lead to as much as 20 points and was looking to stomp over UP but the tables have turned after the Fighting Maroons hosted a momentum-shifting 27-7 scoring run that deadlocked the ball game at 42-all.
Harold Alarcon was huge for UP during that massive rally, dropping 14 points in just five minutes that put the whole Maroon nation to their feet after DLSU head coach Topex Robinson called a timeout to search for answers.
DLSU then leaned on their main man, reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) Quiambao who countered back with his own personal run in the remaining two minutes of the third.
Quiambao unloaded five straight points and an assist that helped the Green Archers retake control of the game heading into the final quarter, seizing a five-point lead, 51-46.
Unfortunately for the Fighting Maroons, they couldn’t replicate the magic they weaved during the third and went cold once again on their offense which DLSU capitalized on.
Closing the show for DLSU were Quiambao, David, Mike Phillips, JC Macalalag, and Earl Abadam who all hit tough shots that reverted their cushion back to double digits with just 52 seconds left.
Quiambao was locked in against the Fighting Maroons and led DLSU with a dominant double-double performance of 20 points and 10 rebounds.
David, the unsung hero of the game after leading the Green Archers to a hot first-quarter start, chipped in 14 markers derived from four made treys.
On the other hand, the Fighting Maroons received a stellar output from Alarcon who finished with 19 points, five boards, and three steals but the squad still missed the services of JD Cagulangan who didn’t play due to fever.
