La Salle Green Archers’ Mike Philips during a game against UE Red Warriors in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
La Salle stayed hot on the way to its fourth consecutive win after dealing the University of the East a second-round opening loss, 77-68, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Green Archers leaned on Mike Phillips who erupted for 27 points and pulled down 17 rebounds other than his five assists, a pair of blocks, and a steal to avenge their first-round loss and end the Red Warriors’ hot streak at five straight games.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
“The players really fought well, and they know the experience of losing to UE a few months ago so we just rekindled that and we just reminded them that, it’s gonna take a lot to really beat this really well-coached team,” coach Topex Robinson said.
“Credits to coach Jack [Santiago] and the rest of the coaching staff there that are doing a good job and the guys just didn’t give up and just kept on fighting,” Robinson added.
La Salle Green Archers’ Mike Philips during a game against UE Red Warriors in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Kevin Quiambao produced 10 points and six rebounds while JC Macalalag also added 10 points for La Salle. Vhoris Marasigan had nine points and five rebounds in 17:35 minutes of play while Joshua David finished with eight points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Both teams stayed in step of each other in the first half even with Phillips already with 20 points and 12 rebounds at halftime and Precious Momowei with 14 points and nine rebounds on top of a pair of steals and blocks.
READ: UAAP: Loss to UE lit a fire under La Salle, admits Kevin Quiambao
But that was before the Archers manufactured a 14-2 run to cap the third quarter on the way to a 63-54 advantage.
La Salle never let go of that lead and with a jumper from Quiambao, the Archers had their biggest lead at 68-57 a little under seven minutes left.
UE made a 6-0 run to try and close the the gap, 68-63, but the reigning MVP hit another jumper before a dish to Marasigan who sank a layup with 1:21 left gave La Salle some breathing room.
READ: UAAP: Mike Phillips looks forward to La Salle-UE second round rematch
“I knew it’s really hard to fight. And so, we knew we really need to come out strong and play these hard-working players, this hard-working coach, but most importantly, [give back to] our hard-working fans,” Phillips said.
Momowei paced the Warriors with 21 points and nine rebounds, a performance that also featured two steals and blocks. John Abate added 11 points other than four assists as UE dropped to a 5-3 record.
La Salle tries to keep its streak alive against University of Santo Tomas next while UE looks to return to its winning ways versus Far Eastern University ahead.