By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers staved off the late rally of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 68-62, to return to the winning column of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament on September 25, 2024, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With the much-needed victory, the Green Archers completed a bounce-back win after losing to the UE Red Warriors in their last UAAP game and avoided a disappointing losing streak in their title defense campaign.
The Green Archers were poised for a lopsided wire-to-wire victory after protecting their lead in the first three quarters courtesy of their balanced offensive effort.
It was in the third frame where DLSU stepped on the gas pedal after establishing a commanding 13-point lead, but the Tamaraws staged one final comeback attempt at the start of the fourth, trimming their deficit to just a single digit and turned the game into a nip-and-tuck affair.
After a series of baskets in the shaded lane, FEU suddenly returned to the driver’s seat and stole the lead away from the Green Archers.
Fortunately for DLSU, their veteran lineup of Kevin Quiambao, Mike Phillips, and EJ Gollena did enough to contain the surging Tamaraws.
Phillips kicked off DLSU’s closing minutes dominance after cashing in back-to-back put-back layups and made a crucial block that would’ve helped FEU inch close in the final two minutes of the game.
To ice the game, the Green Archers relied on the reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kevin Quiambao as he drained the silencer jumper that ensured DLSU the win.
“We don’t really consider it an upset. UE gave us something that helped us. I guess it cleaned up the pressure of not losing. What it did was ground us and reminded us that this season will be hard, just like what happened today with FEU,” said DLSU head coach Topex Robinson.
Quiambao completed his revenge performance with a near triple-double stat line of 12 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals.
Meanwhile, Phillips, who injected the much-needed energy when FEU made a counter-run in the fourth, capped off the win with 13 points, 14 boards, and two rejections.
