La Salle guard Evan Nelle.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Evan Nelle and Kevin Quiambao powered La Salle past Far Eastern University, 87-76, to give coach Topex Robinson a winning debut in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Nelle set the tone for the Green Archers and notched a near triple-double performance of 15 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds, while Quiambao put up 14 points and 14 rebounds, making the crucial plays down the stretch to deny the late run by the Tamaraws.
“It’s really a surreal feeling finally coaching here in the UAAP, especially for DLSU. I’m just so grateful for the opportunity to be here with these fine gentlemen here,” said Robinson.
Xyrus Torres willed FEU back from a 20-point deficit late in the third quarter as Cholo Añonuevo’s dunk and a triple by LJ Gonzales cut it down to just nine, 69-60, with 8:27 left in the game.
Quiambao and Mike Phillips kept La Salle afloat, conspiring for an 8-0 run to give the Archers a 77-60 spread before Torres and Royce Alforque capped a 13-3 surge to turn it into a seven-point game. 80-73 at the 2:15 mark.
La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Quiambao, the Season 85 Rookie of the Year, came to the rescue with his brilliant playmaking, setting up CJ Austria’s smooth layup and throwing a lob that was slammed home by Phillips. He also drilled a turnaround jumper that made it 86-73 with only 52.2 ticks left.
“I’m happy but I wasn’t pleased with my shot selection, Some of my shots were forced. But good thing, coach Topex kept me calm. I still have a lot to improve. This is just our first game of a long season,” said Quiambao in Filipino after shooting 5-of-18 from the field.
Phillips finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, while Austria and Francis Escandor had 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Torres led the Tamaraws with 19 points off four triples. Jorick Bautista chipped in 12 points and five rebounds. Patrick Sleat had 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Gonzales added nine markers, 10 rebounds, and five assists.
FEU gave up 33 fouls and let La Salle shoot 22-of-39 from the line as coach Denok Miranda had a losing debut.
The Scores:
LA SALLE (87) — Nelle 15, Quiambao 14, M. Phillips 13, Austria 12, Escandor 11, Nonoy 8, B. Phillips 4, Abadam 2, Manuel 2, Nwankwo 2, Policarpio 2, Macalalag 2, Gollena 0, David 0.
FEU (76) — Torres 19, Bautista 12, Sleat 11, Gonzales 9, Añonuevo 8, Alforque 4, Ona 4, Bagunu 3, Faty 2, Tempra 2, Competente 2.
Quarterscores: 24-19, 48-39, 67-55, 87-76