La Salle’s Joshua Davis against against UST defenders in their UAAP Season 86. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — La Salle vented its ire on the winless University of Santo Tomas and regained its winning ways with a 91-71 rout in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Joshua David made the most of his extended playing time as he delivered 14 points including two triples to help Kevin Quiambao, who also scored 14 on top of four rebounds and two steals, in helping La Salle bounce back from a 77-72 loss to archrival Ateneo last Wednesday.
“I’m happy to play. We just accepted the role given to us and contributed to the team. We just stuck to the system of coach Topex [Robinson] and stayed focused on the game,” said David in Filipino. “Getting a chance to play for coach Topex is a big deal for me. I’m so thankful to come back and play again.”
David, who missed the Green Archers’ campaign last year due to an ACL injury, gave La Salle its biggest lead of 30 points, 86-56, with a booming trey midway through the fourth to improve to a 2-1 record tied with National University and Adamson.
La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
La Salle coach Topex Robinson bared that starting guard Evan Nelle was the one who asked to give the fit-again David extended playing time.
“I wasn’t the one who gave Josh that extra minutes. With 5 minutes left, Evan was already about to sub and then Josh made that first jumper. He asked me: I think Josh will stay in the game. He needs the opportunity and he’s playing well. So he went back,” Robinson said. “I really just wanna honor that because that’s Evan Nelle for me. Just for you to offer the position to your teammate, it’s really something that defines his character as a leader.”
Joaqui Manuel also stepped up with 11 points on 3-of-4 three-point shooting. Evan Nelle had nine points and seven assists, while Jonnel Policarpio added nine markers and six boards.
“The guys really fought it out and they gave it to this game, knowing how important it is for us, not only as a team but also as a program. Again, credit goes to these guys,” Robinson said.
UST remained winless in three games with Nic Cabañero single-handedly carrying the scoring cudgels for his team with 25 points. He also had five rebounds but committed eight turnovers.
La Salle battles the surging Adamson on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena, while UST takes on NU at 3 p.m.
The Scores:
DLSU (91) – Quiambao 14, David 14, Manuel 11, Nelle 9, Policarpio 9, Nwankwo 8, M. Phillips 5, Austria 5, Escandor 5, Abadam 5, B. Phillips 4, Cortez 2, Macalalag 0, Gollena 0, I. Phillips 0.
UST (71) – Cabañero 25, Pangilinan 8, Manaytay 7, Laure 6, Duremdes 6, Manalang 5, Crisostomo 4, Calum 3, Gesalem 3, Ventulan 2, Llemit 2, Moore 0, Magdangal 0, Lazarte 0, Faye 0.
Quarterscores: 22-11, 47-36, 73-50, 91-71