Modern blockbuster: Mike Phillips-led La Salle breaks UE 5-game streak for 4th straight win

MANILA, Philippines – How much difference five games make in the UAAP.

After being a rather unremarkable pairing in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball first round, La Salle and UE figured in a blockbuster second-round rematch between streaking teams, with the Green Archers downing the Red Warriors, 77-68, at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, October 12.

With the win, defending champion La Salle kept its hold on first place with a 7-1 record on the back of its fourth straight win, avenging a stunning opening-round setback to UE, while the Red Warriors slid down a 5-3 slate, still in third, after snapping a decade-best five-game winning streak.

Third-running MVP candidate Mike Phillips made up for a missing Kevin Quiambao early in the contest, exploding for a massive 20-point, 12-rebound first half and finishing with game-highs of 27 markers and 17 boards — 10 coming from the offensive end — plus 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal.

Quiambao, meanwhile, bounced back as only a reigning MVP can, offsetting a scoreless first two quarters with 10 clutch points to go with 6 rebounds, 2 dimes, and a steal.

“The players really fought well. They know the experience of losing to UE. We just rekindled that and reminded them that it will take a lot of effort to really beat this well-coached team,” said head coach Topex Robinson in his first media appearance since the controversial UP-La Salle commotion.

“Credit to coach Jack [Santiago]. The guys just didn’t give up and kept on fighting,” Robinson added hours after being cleared by the UAAP from UP guard Reyland Torres’ spitting allegation.

Down 51-52 halfway through the third frame, La Salle gained precious separation against UE with a game-turning 17-5 surge bridging the latter two periods, ending with a Quiambao mid-range jumper for the 11-point lead, 68-57, with 6:54 left in regulation.

John Abate — the hero in UE’s streak-starting win against La Salle — tried his hardest to replicate his magic late in the game, but the Red Warriors only got as near as 5, 65-70, before Quiambao and Vhoris Marasigan conspired for a final 7-2 spurt to slam the rally door shut with a 77-67 gap at the 1:21 mark.

The Scores

La Salle 77 – Phillips 27, Quiambao 10, Macalalag 10, Marasigan 9, David 8, Abadam 6, Ramiro 3, Gollena 2, Gonzales 2, Austria 0, Agunanne 0, Dungo 0.

UE 68 – Momowei 21, Abate 11, Maga 9, Wilson 8, J. Cruz-Dumont 7, Galang 6, Lingolingo 2, Fikes 2, Malaga 2, Mulingtapang 0, H. Cruz-Dumont 0.

Quarters: 14-14, 36-37, 63-54, 77-68.

– Rappler.com