By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers reigned supreme during the recently concluded World University Basketball Series (WUBS) at the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan on August 12, 2024.
DLSU banked on an efficient fourth-quarter performance to repel Korea University, 101-86, and replicated the feat that the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles achieved when they ruled the WUBS two years ago.
After a tightly contested battle in the first three quarters, the reigning UAAP defending champions flipped the switch in the final quarter to pull away midway through the fourth.
From a slim 69-67 cushion at the end of the third, the Green Archers saved their best for last and blitzed their way to a one-sided fourth-quarter showcase.
Henry Agunanne kicked off DLSU’s fourth-quarter brilliance after providing the much-needed energy plays, scoring the ball in the paint while pulling down offensive rebounds that gave the Green Archers a lot of offensive chances.
Agunanne’s baskets in the shaded lane began DLSU’s 8-2 start in the fourth, forcing the team from Korea to call an early timeout to halt their bleeding.
However, the adjustments that Korea deployed had little effect as DLSU rolled its way until the final buzzer with Kevin Quiambao picking up what Agunanne’s started.
Quiambao spearheaded the final DLSU rally, scoring in a variety of ways while grabbing successive defensive rebounds that allowed Vhoris Marasigan and Doy Dungo to produce more points.
In the final three minutes of the title match, it was all DLSU as the Topex Robinson-led team maintained its pace and outran Korea to take home the WUBS championship title.
Agunanne led the Green Archers with an impressive 25-point output built from a perfect 10/10 shooting from the field to go alongside seven rebounds.
Backstopping Agunanne’s best game of the tournament was Quiambao who tallied a near triple-double stat-line of 15 markers, 11 assists, and six rebounds.
Quiambao was also hailed as the 2024 WUBS Most Valuable Player (MVP) after averaging 15.67 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.67 assists during the whole run of the tournament.
