UAAP Finals: La Salle beats UP in tense finish to force Game 3
Kevin Quiambao reacts after a crucial play in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals against UP Fighting Maroons. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
La Salle can breathe a little better now after getting a chance to live another day and forcing an all-or-nothing Game 3 in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament Finals.
The Green Archers leveled the series after completing a 76-75 win over University of the Philippines on the back of Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips Wednesday night at Mall of Asia Arena.
Article continues after this advertisementHIGHLIGHTS: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals Game 2 – La Salle vs UP
Quiambao showed once again why he is a two-time MVP after nailing two crucial three-pointers, both in front of the Maroons defense with the second over of towering Quentin Millora-Brown, to save the Green Archers in the dying minutes of regulation. He finished with 22 points and nine rebounds.
La Salle Green Archers in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals against UP Fighting Maroons. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
“First I just wanna be clear that KQ is just one of us. When we were done and out and these guys just told everybody to just not give up, just keep playing. We made the necessary stops in the endgame and just gave us the opportunity to connect from the outside,” Robinson said.
Article continues after this advertisement“I don’t know what happened, what transpired but we’re so grateful that we get to see another day and get to play another game of championship,” he added.
READ: UAAP: Kevin Quiambao hailed MVP anew as La Salle title bid hangs
Quiambao had by his side as always Phillips, who produced double-double contributions of 18 points and 12 rebounds. The energetic forward scored the winning layup for La Salle with 53.1 seconds left.
“God is so good and not just because we won [but also because] God has been there for us in the highs and the lows. I wish you guys could have been there yesterday during our practice. Coach Topex gave one of the most amazing prayers that I heard from a man,” Phillips said.
READ: La Salle hopes to pull off another UAAP Finals comeback
Francis Lopez had two trips to the line, but missed all four chances to bail out UP.
Gerry Abadiano had a last shot attempt in the final possession that could’ve ended the series but missed it.
UP made the most of La Salle’s 17 turnovers, converting 16 points from it, from second chance points it got 13, fastbreak points 15 and got the goods from their starters who contributed 64.
Three Maroons ended up with 16 points in JD Cagulangan, Francis Lopez and Gerry Abadiano.
Graduating Cagulangan also added seven rebounds and five assists, Lopez nine rebounds while Quentin Millora-Brown came up with 11 points and eight rebounds.
La Salle was mostly productive near the basket with 54.5 percent shooting and had 63 percent efficiency in the paint where it got 34 points. With Quiambao coming off the bench, the Archers had a 35-11 edge in bench points.
The no-tomorrow contest is set for Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
