UAAP champion La Salle barges as first team to Final Four after beating Adamson

MANILA, Philippines – The La Salle Green Archers became the first team to secure a spot in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final Four after decimating the Adamson Soaring Falcons by 25, 70-45, on Saturday, October 19, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

La Salle remains atop the league standings at 9-1, as it makes its third playoff appearance in the last four seasons.

“These young men did what they’re supposed to do and that’s compete with one of the best programs with Coach Nash (Racela) there. We still have a lot of work to do,” head coach Topex Robinson said after the contest.

“They just stepped up and I just love to see other guys stepping up also, not only the regulars,” he added.

DLSU erased its opponents’ 5-0 start and never looked back, forcibly taking control of the contest until the final buzzer.

La Salle’s defense smothered the Falcons to just 11 points in the second period, and 9 in the fourth, leading by as many as 25 in the contest.

Kevin Quiambao continued to solidify his stats in a repeat MVP campaign with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, while teammate Joshua David pitched in 11 points and 3 rebounds.

Ced Manzano was the lone double-digit scorer for Adamson with 14, as the team continued its freefall with its fourth straight loss and is now lodged at sixth place with a 3-6 record.

Ateneo, which scored a 67-64 upset win against home team UST in the first game of the double-header, went ahead to fifth, while FEU remained at seventh.

All three teams are in a logjam at 3-6, but placing is determined through head-to-head records.

“We’re very happy that we claimed a spot in the Final Four, but as what coach (Robinson) said, we still have to improve on a lot of things,” Quiambao said in Filipino.

“We need to move on to the next game, then focus on what we can as we remain to play one game at a time, but I’m so happy that we got the win,” as La Salle won its sixth straight contest.

The Scores

La Salle 70 – Quiambao 17, David 11, Gonzales 8, Agunanne 8, Austria 6, Gollena 5, Dungo 3, Konov 3, I. Phillips 3, M. Phillips 2, Macalalag 2, Alian 2, Ramiro 0, Marasigan 0, Rubico 0.

Adamson 45 – Manzano 14, Fransman 8, Erolon 5, Ramos 4, Ojarikre 3, Anabo 3, Montebon 2, Mantua 2, Yerro 2, Ignacio 2, Calisay 0, Ronzone 0, Alexander 0, Barasi 0, Dignadice 0, Barcelona 0.

Quarters: 17-11, 42-22, 59-36, 70-45. – Rappler.com