By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers had to pull all the tricks out of their sleeves to repel the resilient Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 58-53, in the ongoing UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament on November 6, 2024, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Down by as much as 12 points after a dismal performance in the first 14 minutes of the ball game, the Green Archers banked on their balanced offensive attack and disciplined full-court defensive pressure to fend off the tough challenge from the Tamaraws.
It was midway through the second quarter when the Green Archers started to regain their groove after collecting several steals off their full-court press.
After the little run that they made, DLSU suddenly went back to the driver’s seat, erasing FEU’s double-digit lead that evaporated in a blink.
Just when the Green Archers thought they already took full control of the game, FEU’s never-say-die mantra kept them alive in the second half, stunning DLSU with a counter-run to put them back in the lead courtesy of their aggressive paint attacks.
Mo Konateh, FEU’s foreign student-athlete, didn’t back down from the challenge of facing DLSU’s premier defensive anchor Mike Phillips.
The towering presence made his impact felt by scoring tons of baskets in the shaded lane, one of the major reasons why they were able to weather the DLSU storm in the second half.
Both squads engaged in a thrilling nip-and-tuck affair with the Tamaraws slightly getting the edge after holding on to a 47-43 lead in the final 4:48 of the final canto.
However, the Green Archers relied on the heroics of Joshua David and Phillips as the duo scored straight buckets to steer DLSU once again back up front.
The Tamaraws answered back with a deuce to pull themselves within a point but Phillips officially shut their chances of winning the game after converting on a circus foul-counted layup that ballooned their lead to five, 56-51, in the last 24 seconds of the fourth.
“We just tried to grind it out with FEU. We know it’s going to be a fast-paced game, so we just tried to keep it simple,” said DLSU head coach Topex Robinson after the win.
Phillips was once again spectacular for the Green Archers, supplying a monster double-double outing of 15 points, 17 rebounds, five steals, two assists, and two blocks.
The athletic big man stepped up for the struggling Kevin Quiambao, the UAAP’s reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP), who only contributed eight markers built from 2/17 shooting from the field.
With the come-from-behind win, the Green Archers just solidified their place at the no. 1 spot of the tournament standings with a win-loss record of 11-1 and are already guaranteed the top slot when the UAAP Final Four kicks off.
