UAAP Finals Season 86 wrap-up: UP vs La Salle

By: 11 months ago

Malick Diouf sees ‘good future’ in UP Maroons after his exit

UP Fighting Maroons' Malick Diouf. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

UP Fighting Maroons’ Malick Diouf. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines may have lost the battle for a championship for the second straight time but graduating star Malick Diouf believes that the future is bright for the Fighting Maroons.

“First. I wanna say thank you, Allah, for the blessing to play in this finals and play for UP. You know, we fell short but that’s life,” said Diouf after UP fell to La Salle with a heartbreaking 73-69 loss in the winner-take-all Game 3 in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball finals on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

CJ Cansino says ‘boy mantika’ remarks never bothered him

UP Fighting Maroons’ CJ Cansino plays his final game in the UAAP in the Season 86 Finals Game 3. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The “boy mantika” remarks have followed CJ Cansino since his departure from University of Santo Tomas, but the University of the Philippines skipper said that those comments never bothered him as he ends his UAAP career.

Cansino was the brunt of hatred from UST faithful back in 2020 due to the “Sorsogon bubble” fiasco that led to the downfall of the Growling Tigers program.

He became the center of blame after his little demand for less oily food in said bubble earned him the moniker “boy mantika (oil boy)” which was made to rattle the athletic forward.

UP Fighting Maroons dealt with another painful learning experience

UP Fighting Maroons after losing the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball final against La Salle. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —For the second straight year, the UP Fighting Maroons blew another Finals series lead to settle for a runner-up finish.

This time, they lost in Game 3 to the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament in another heartbreak that UP coach Goldwin Monteverde hopes they learn from.

“Sometimes, even if you’re hurting, you gotta let them know you’re there for them, gotta tell them life goes on. This hard situation would help us and prepare us for bigger things. I was trying to encourage them,” said Monteverde on Wednesday shortly after claiming their silver medal in front of 25,192 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

La Salle lives out Topex Robinson’s tenets on the way to UAAP glory

La Salle’s Topex Robinson celebrated by his players after UAAP title. –UAAP PHOTO

It already seems trite, the way words like culture or buy-in are tossed around by coaches as the reasons for a team’s success.

So when La Salle’s best players talk about those terms without even mentioning them, you know Topex Robinson did something right.

“First of all, it feels so good [playing for Robinson]. What others describe as a player’s coach, it was all in coach To

Kevin Quiambao grateful for ‘idol’ Mac Cardona’s guidance

La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —It didn’t bode well for La Salle’s title bid when Kevin Quiambao and the Green Archers absorbed a 30-point blowout from the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals.

But the Green Archers, determined to pounce on their best shot to end a seven-year title drought in years, simply refused to roll over and they pulled off a series comeback capped by a title-clinching 73-69 win on Wednesday.

Quiambao was front and center in La Salle’s championship victory and he credited the spring in his step to a call from former Green Archers’ star Mac Cardona after their 97-67 loss in the series opener at Mall of Asia Arena last week.

Topex Robinson gets winning ending this time after string of Finals heartbreaks

La Salle Green Archers’ champion coach Topex Robinson. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Topex Robinson’s heartbreak days in collegiate basketball are over.

Robinson proved to be the missing piece for the De La Salle Green Archers, who finally brought home their 10th UAAP championship and ended a seven-year title drought.

History wasn’t on Robinson’s side coming from heartbreaks in his last two finals appearances in the NCAA with the Lyceum Pirates. He steered them to an 18-game elimination round for an outright Finals berth in Season 93 last 2017  only to be swept by San Beda in the championship series.

CJ Cansino, Malick Diouf leave UP Fighting Maroons with pride, gratitude

NU Lady Bulldogs after failing to extend their dominant reign for another season in UAAP women’s basketball. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — As National University’s seven-season reign in UAAP women’s basketball ends, the Lady Bulldogs get an opportunity to learn and be better to reclaim the crown next year.

NU’s dream for an eighth straight title was shattered by University of Santo Tomas, which pulled off a come-from-behind 71-69 win in Game 3 as the Tigresses emerged the new queens in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball Finals on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

CJ Cansino, Malick Diouf leave UP Fighting Maroons with pride, gratitude

UP Fighting Maroons’ graduating players CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf. –MARLO CUETO/INQURIER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Graduating University of the Philippines swingmen CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf showed nothing but gratitude to the Fighting Maroons’ community after their collegiate careers wrapped up on Wednesday.

La Salle’s championship-sealing, 73-69 victory over UP in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 Finals marked the end of an era in Diliman as it served as Cansino and Diouf’s final collegiate games.

Three hours of hell: A UAAP championship timeline

La Salle Green Archers celebrate UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball championship. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—5:27 pm. Araneta Coliseum. Wednesday.

The energy inside the Big Dome was palpable, even as the lights were still dim and the growing crowd was only a hush above the other sounds inside the coliseum. There was little indication of how things would turn into full-blown pandemonium for the Green Archers and the Fighting Maroons.

UAAP champion Evan Nelle on Kitty Duterte: She’s part of my journey

Newly minted UAAP champion Evan Nelle and Kitty Duterte share a hug after La Salle wins Season 86 championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Evan Nelle had a fairytale ending to his three-season UAAP career and he celebrated his first and last championship with La Salle with a warm hug from Kitty Duterte, who has been rumored to be his special someone.

Nelle helped La Salle end a seven-year championship drought by staving off University of the Philippines in a winner-take-all Game 3 with a 73-69 victory to rule the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball championship in front of a record 25,192 crowd on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Photos: UAAP Finals Game 3

Quiambao puts indelible imprint on La Salle’s UAAP championship run

An emotional Kevin Quiambao celebrates after La Salle won its first UAAP championship since 2016 at the expense of UP in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

On the grandest stage playing for the biggest stakes, Kevin Quiambao came up with his valedictory performance to an MVP season and led La Salle to the UAAP Season 86 title, ending a seven-year drought for a program so formidable yet one that seemed out of place early on.

Canning three free throws, coming up with a block and a steal—all in the dying seconds—just when the Green Archers needed them, Quiambao had a performance that will not be soon forgotten as La Salle pulled out a 73-69 decision of the University of the Philippines before a record 25,192 boisterous souls at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

One more year with La Salle? Kevin Quiambao says he will rest first

Kevin Quiambao cuts the net after leading La Salle to the UAAP championship in men’s basketball. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Shortly after leading La Salle to its first UAAP men’s basketball title since 2016, Kevin Quiambao loudly set expectations about returning for another run with the newly crowned champions.

“Asahan niyo po…one more year? Yeah!” Quiambao, the Season 86 and Finals Most Valuable Player, said in a TV interview while holding his golden hardware.

But apparently, nothing’s been set in stone until Quiambao gets to spend time with his family first after a grueling season in a popular destination for Filipino tourists and players alike: Japan.

Evan Nelle gets his vindication as he leaves La Salle a champion

Graduating La Salle guard Evan Nelle in the UAAP men’s basketball finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After heartbreaks in his first two years with the La Salle Green Archers, Evan Nelle’s UAAP career ended in vindication.

Nelle got the exit he had envisioned as the Green Archers showed they could win it all, beating the University of the Philippines in 3 games in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Final.

“What an exit. Who would’ve thought? At the start of my La Salle career, who would’ve thought that we would have won? I guess, it’s just believing and putting in the work,” said Nelle after celebrating with his teammates at the dugout as they ended the school’s seven-year title drought.

One more year with La Salle? Kevin Quiambao says he will rest first

Kevin Quiambao cuts the net after leading La Salle to the UAAP championship in men’s basketball. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Shortly after leading La Salle to its first UAAP men’s basketball title since 2016, Kevin Quiambao loudly set expectations about returning for another run with the newly crowned champions.

“Asahan niyo po…one more year? Yeah!” Quiambao, the Season 86 and Finals Most Valuable Player, said in a TV interview while holding his golden hardware.

But apparently, nothing’s been set in stone until Quiambao gets to spend time with his family first after a grueling season in a popular destination for Filipino tourists and players alike: Japan.

Video: Evan Nelle on ending his UAAP career with a championship, Kitty Duterte

Video: Kevin Quiambao on winning Finals MVP, returning to La Salle

Kevin Quiambao is UAAP Finals MVP after leading La Salle title run

La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao (17) during Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals against UP.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Kevin Quiambao added another Most Valuable Player award to cap his sophomore year as he emerged as the best player of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals.

Quiambao saved his best for last with 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks to power La Salle past University of the Philippines, 73-69, in Game 3 on Wednesday in front of a record crowd of 25,192 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

But shortly after the Green Archers captured their first championship since 2016, Quiambao perhaps got too excited and announced during a TV interview that he was returning for one more year but only to say in a later interview that he would give it a few more weeks before deciding about his future.

Video: La Salle soaks coach Topex Robinson, Kevin Quiambao, Evan Nelle after title win

Kevin Quiambao is UAAP Finals MVP

La Salle beats UP in Game 3, crowned UAAP champion

An emotional Kevin Quiambao celebrates after La Salle won its first UAAP championship since 2016 at the expense of UP in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle turned to MVP Kevin Quiambao to end a seven-year title drought and slip past University of the Philippines, 73-69, in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals on Wednesday night.

Playing before a record crowd of 25,192 at Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Green Archers never wavered even when the Fighting Maroons led by 65-58 with eight minutes left with Quiambao taking matters into his own hands and igniting a 12-2 run for a precarious 70-67 lead with 4:12 remaining.

La Salle made the crucial stops including Quiambao’s clutch block on Gerry Abadiano’s layup attempt with 30 seconds to go before the versatile forward, who was serenaded with MVP chants, sealed the game with three free throws.

Video: La Salle, fans celebrate first UAAP title in 7 years at Araneta Coliseum

La Salle Green Archers are UAAP Season 86 champions

La Salle gets the better of UP, 73-69, in the winner-take-all Game 3 to claim the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball championship.

UAAP Season 86 MVP Kevin Quiambao led the Green Archers with 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks and provided timely plays in the clutch.

Fourth quarter UAAP Finals Game 3: La Salle retakes lead

Third quarter UAAP Finals Game 3: UP 58, La Salle 55

Halftime UAAP Finals Game 3: UP 43, La Salle 39

First Quarter UAAP Finals Game 3: La Salle 22, UP 21

One hour and half before UAAP Finals Game 3 tip off

UAAP Finals: Tantoy Ferrer shows heart and soul in UST title run after ACL injury

UST’s Tanto Ferrer raises her Finals MVP trophy after leading the Growling Tigresses to their first UAAP women’s basketball title since 2006.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Tantoy Ferrer just proved why she was University of Santo Tomas’ heart and soul.

With the Growling Tigresses trailing, Ferrer willed his team back as University of Santo Tomas pulled off a dramatic 71-69 win to shatter National University’s dream of an eighth straight title on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament.

UAAP Finals: Coach Haydee Ong, Tantoy Ferrer relish fairytale ending to their special bond

Coach Haydee Ong, Tantoy Ferrer and the UST Growling Tigers celebrate UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball title. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—After University of Santo Tomas’ championship win over National University in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball finals, coach Haydee Ong and Tantoy Ferrer had a chance to show their gratitude to one another.

As expected, it was nothing short of emotional.

In the post-game media scrum, Ferrer, who had both the Season 86 trophy and the Finals MVP hardware in her grasp, sat beside Ong who obviously just finished crying her eyes out for joy.

Video: UST Tigresses’ coach Haydee Ong, Kent Pastrana, Finals MVP Tantoy Ferrer, and Nikki Villasin

Nikki Villasin on title-clinching shot for UST Tigresses: ‘If I make this, it’s over’

UST Growling Tigresses’ Nikki Villasin comes through in clutch to end NU Lady Bulldogs’ chokehold of the UAAP women’s basketball competition. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—When University of Santo Tomas’ Nikki Villasin sank her fast-break layup with 11.9 seconds left in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball Finals, she already knew what coming next.

With the score tied at 69-all, the Growling Tigresses had a chance to take the lead in transition and Villasin pounced on that opening with an easy breakaway bucket to take a 71-69 lead.

She did not doubt that after she made the shot the game was already over.

Photos: UAAP women’s basketball Finals Game 3

UST ends title drought, NU dynasty in UAAP women’s basketball

The UST Growling Tigresses celebrate after claiming the championship in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Nikki Villasin delivered the championship-clinching layup with 11.8 seconds left as University of Santo Tomas ended a 17-year title drought with a dramatic 71-69 win over National University in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball Finals on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Growling Tigresses, who also took down the Lady Bulldogs’ seven-year reign, went down by as many as 15 points late in the third but they never backed down and leaned on the resiliency of graduating player Tantoy Ferrer.

Video: UST Tigresses celebrate UAAP women’s basketball championship

Score: UST Tigresses beat NU Bulldogs UAAP women’s basketball Finals Game 3

UAAP Finals Game 3 Schedule of Games (December 6)

Smart Araneta Coliseum 

12 noon – NU Lady Bulldogs vs UST Tigresses (Women’s Finals)
6 p.m. – UP Fighting Maroons vs La Salle Green Archers (Men’s Finals)

La Salle stuck to its plan in Game 2 despite Francis Lopez status

La Salle celebrates during Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals against UP.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines rookie Francis Lopez was a game-time decision just hours before Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals on Sunday.

But even though there was a possibility that Lopez, one of the Fighting Maroons’ key cogs, wouldn’t play due to flu, La Salle didn’t let the uncertainty disrupt its game plan.

“We’ll focus on our game plan and pray… We don’t even know that there’s something like that, Francis Lopez not playing. Whether he plays or not, we’ll be ready to face them even if they’re incomplete or not because we have a game plan,” said Green Archers guard CJ Austria in Filipino before Game 2.

Where to watch the UAAP Finals on TV and online

The UAAP games are aired on free TV and cable via One Sports, One Sports+ and UAAP Varsity Channel on Cignal and are streamed on Pilipinas Live, Cignal’s live sports app, and on Smart LiveStream App, which is free to Smart subscribers.

Both the UAAP women’s and men’s basketball finals Game 3 on December 6 will be aired live on One Sports.

UAAP Finals Game 3: where to buy tickets in UP, DLSU

La Salle’s Evan Nelle and UP’s Reyland Torres get chippy during Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Finals Game 3 is scheduled for December 6, Wednesday, 6 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum as a fitting ending to the historic match-up that pitted these two schools for the first time in the title round.

Tickets went on sale at Ticketnet on the morning of December 4. According to an Araneta PR representative, tickets for Game 3 are officially sold out on Ticketnet.

It will only be known on December 6 whether UAAP and Ticketnet will be releasing Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets on the day of Game 3 itself.

Tickets were also sold at the UP and DLSU campuses on December 5.

UAAP Finals between UP, La Salle headed into a fitting finale

As trite as it may sound, the chase for UAAP glory will all be about who wants it more. —MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

No pregame hype in the UAAP Finals has so far come true. Prior to Game 1, no one expected La Salle to lose, with the Green Archers coming off a nine-game winning streak capped by a 20-point bamboozling of a truly formidable Final Four foe.

They were certainly the favorites coming into the title playoffs.

That was until University of the Philippines (UP) destroyed that myth of invincibility to post a 97-67 series-opening rout, making the Fighting Maroons instant favorites to sweep after dealing the Archers a gut punch that was felt all over the league.

But now, the Maroons and the Archers play a Game 3, something which La Salle necessitated after dealing UP a bloodbath of its own on what was supposed to be the coronation night for the Katipunan-based squad last Sunday.

UAAP Finals: Coach Goldwin urges UP to overcome pressure as Game 3 looms

UP coach Goldwin Monteverde in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball finals Game 2. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —With any finals series comes great pressure and that’s what University of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde wants his players to remember and overcome as the UAAP Finals goes down to a winner-take-all game.

The Fighting Maroons are set to play their third straight rubber match in the UAAP Finals as they look to clinch the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball crown against La Salle on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

And if the intensity in the first two games was any indication, the pressure in Game 3 is going to be even higher and Monteverde urged his players to be ready for it.

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