La Salle Green Archers’ Kevin Quiambao during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game against Adamson. –MARLO CUETO/INQURER.net
MANILA, Philippines–La Salle continues to look good in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament after notching its second consecutive victory with an 82-52 manhandling of Adamson on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Kevin Quiambao did not need to do much of heavy lifting but still contributed 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals to follow up his messianic performance last Sunday that willed the Green Archers past the gritty National University.
With everything going La Salle’s way, coach Topex Robinson was able to give his role players more exposure and none of them wasted the opportunity to show what they can do.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
“We weren’t really looking at the score, we just played basketball,” the sophomore coach said. “We try to keep the energy that’s why we pretty much used up everybody just so we’ll have the same energy. That’s just who we are.”
Two rookies in David Dungo, who had an 83 percent clip for 15 points, and Henry Agunanne, who dominated the paint for a double-double outing of 11 points and 16 rebounds, did not let Robinson down.
“Coach just tells me to play my game every game. I am just giving back his trust so when he puts me inside the court I am giving my 100 percent to do my job,” Dungo said.
La Salle Green Archers’ Henry Agunanne. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Starting the game, I was out of rhythm but coach Topex told me that I will get my rhythm soon so I just kept fighting, playing defense and doing the things I can while I wasn’t able to score,” Agunnane said.
Adamson did its best to scrub a sorry six-point showing in the first quarter but the Archers have already buried the Soaring Falcons so deep that even with a better 21-point scoring in the second quarter, La Salle still had a 17-point advantage at halftime.
READ: UAAP: Kevin Quiambao heroics push La Salle past NU
Vhoris Marasigan hit a jumper, 64-37, with 2:34 left in the third quarter but La Salle pretty much already had the game in the bag.
With 22 seconds left in the game, Matt Rubico gave the Archers its biggest lead with his only field goal attempt after punctuating the match with a shot from beyond the arc.
Cedrick Manzano was the lone bright spot for Adamson, who dropped to a 1-1 record, with 15 points and eight rebounds. Matty Montebon and Manu Anabo had seven points each.
La Salle renews its rivalry against Ateneo in its next game on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena. On the same day, Adamson hopes to get its act together as it battles new-look University of Sto. Tomas.