La Salle dethrones NU, arranges Filoil Finals clash vs UP
La Salle Green Archers. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—There will be a new Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup champion after La Salle dethroned National University, 86-73, at San Juan Arena on Monday.
The Green Archers also kept their preseason record unblemished after 11 outings, thanks in large part to Kevin Quiambao’s double-double performance.
“What coach (Topex Robinson) told us is, we need to play on a championship level [against NU],” Quiambao said in Filipino.
“For me, I just really followed the system and whatever I needed to do on the court. I just followed instructions.”
Quiambao, the UAAP Season 85 Rookie of the Year, registered 17 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists all while shooting an efficient 53 percent from the field.
Mark Nonoy chipped in 14 points and four steals for La Salle.
NU’s Jake Figueroa also snagged a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards while Omar John was a presence in the paint with 10 points and eight rebounds.
The Fighting Maroons, earlier, advanced to the Finals after demolishing Perpetual Help, 104-69.
