UAAP champion La Salle breezes past Adamson, arranges finals rematch with UP

MANILA, Philippines – For the second straight year, it will be a La Salle-UP men’s basketball finals in the UAAP for Season 87 as the Green Archers blew out the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 70-55, at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, November 30.

The dominant rout — yet another cruise for the defending champions over Adamson after a combined 55-point win margin in their last two games — formally sealed the Archers’ rematch against the UP Fighting Maroons, with Game 1 set after a weeklong break on December 8, also at Araneta.

Presumptive back-to-back MVP winner Kevin Quiambao led the way with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and 2 blocks, while fellow star and two-time Mythical Five member Mike Phillips scattered 8 points, 8 boards, 5 swipes, 4 dimes, and 2 rejections in just 17 minutes.

“It’s nice to be back in the finals and I guess we also have to acknowledge Adamson losing [AJ] Fransman and [Arthur] Calisay who are vital parts of the team. They still gave a good fight and that just shows how good that team is,” said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson.

“These guys did what they’re supposed to do, so it’s nice to be back in the finals.”

The Falcons looked ready to fight in the early goings of the game, as they stayed within 4 points, 20-16, off a Manu Anabo triple early in the second quarter.

Little did they know, however, that it was the best window of opportunity they would get for the rest of the evening, as La Salle emphatically shut the door on any comeback attempt with a huge 16-1 finish to the first half, capped with a booming triple from seldom-used forward Alex Konov with 1:20 left.

The Archers refused to let up despite the large gap, as Raven Gonzales scored a tough finish with 38 seconds left in the third period to push the lead to 27 points, 58-31, that not even a late 11-0 fourth-quarter rally from the Falcons were able to dent nor threaten.

Royce Mantua paced the late comeback effort with a game-high 14 points to tie Quiambao, as Cedrick Manzano scored 13 with 9 rebounds in 21 minutes of action.

The Scores

La Salle 70 – Quiambao 14, David 11, Phillips 8, Ramiro 7, Marasigan 6, Dungo 5, Gonzales 5, Agunanne 4, Konov 4, Austria 2, Macalalag 0, Gollena 0, Alian 0.

Adamson 55 – Mantua 14, Manzano 13, Anabo 6, Yerro 6, Erolon 5, Ramos 3, Dignadice 3, Ojarikre 2, Barasi 2, Montebon 1, Alexander 0, Barcelona 0, Ignacio 0, Ronzone 0.

Quarters: 18-11, 36-17, 59-34, 70-55.

– Rappler.com