A TOUGH rivalry game in the books, as the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers preserve their perfect record after thumping the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles by a lopsided 74-61 score.
The Green Archers continue to demonstrate why they are the UAAP Season 86 Champions, as their quality of play has been unrivaled in the early stages of this season, with the team upping the tempo whenever necessary.
Held in the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City, fans witnessed the two rival schools go head to head in the beginning of the game, only to see a lopsided basketball duel at the end.
Almost, but not quite
Throughout the first half, Ateneo demonstrated that, despite having a youthful group this season, they can always put up a fight, as they were within striking distance of the defending champs.
In the first quarter, the Green Archers struggled to gain a significant lead and were only ahead by three points, 21-18. The same thing happened in the second quarter, when they went into halftime up 44-40.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
However, the game changed dramatically once the third quarter began, as La Salle tightened their grip and held Ateneo to only four points while going on a 15-point run to salvage the Katipunan squad 59-44.
A much-needed shift in gears in this quarter, as ADMU attempted to claw back into the game in the fourth quarter, even leading the scoring output in the last kanto, 17-15, ahead of DLSU.
Nonetheless, the Green Archers won 74-61, all thanks to their championship experience, grit, and all-out effort against a very youthful Blue Eagles club.
TAFT to beat discipline
No matter how brilliant the Taft-based university’s squad is, discipline will always be the key to their success, calming them down when things become messy and difficult.
“We just stayed disciplined in what we do. We made a lot of mistakes along the line, we had 22 turnovers and that’s something we have to work on,” said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson.
Robinson even commended the Blue Eagles for bringing up a sound defensive strategy against them, saying, “Ateneo threw a lot of freak defense on us and good thing, we’re able to get our bearings back to get the win.”
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Kevin Quiambao, the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player, nearly had a triple-double and led DLSU with another remarkable effort of 13 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.
Quiambao, on the other hand, was unable to score his normal 20-plus points due to Ateneo’s tight defense on him. He made the same words as Robinson, applauding the Katipunan-based squad for their defense.
“Yung mindset ko coming into this game, kailangan ko lang mag-step up. Then nung game, medyo binatuhan kami ng defense ng Ateneo, bina-box-and-one nila ako the whole game,” said Quiambao.
“Kaya sinabi ko lang sa mga kasama ko na be ready lang dahil may mga moments na kayo malilibre, dapat may confidence kayo to take that shot, and be disciplined lang,” he went on to say.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Shawn Tuano, however, topped the Blue Eagles in scoring. He finished the game with 18 points and six rebounds. This was supported by Jared Bahay’s eight points, six assists, and three steals.
Ateneo will continue to look for their first win of the season when they face the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Saturday at 6:30 PM. La Salle will try to extend their run against the UE Red Warriors on Sunday at 6:30 PM.
