UAAP: DLSU escapes UST of an OT scare

DESPITE nearly losing after a dominant start, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers were able to escape the comebacking University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers in overtime on Wednesday.

Infront of a boisterous crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the Green Archers avoided a 20-point meltdown against the Growling Tigers during their second round encounter, defeating them 94-87. 

With this nail-biting win, DLSU currently has the sole top seed in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament standings with an 8-1 win-loss record, breaking a tie with the UP Fighting Maroons.

Wasted opportunity

The defending champions DLSU did not take their opponents lightly and started the game 14-0 against UST. They extended their lead throughout the match, eventually reaching a 20-point lead. 

However, the España-based squad kept a fighting spirit. During the fourth and final quarter, the DLSU was leading 74-61 when UST suddenly went on a 19-6 run of their own. 

UST had numerous chances to take the lead before the end of regulation, as Mike Phillips was called for an unsportsmanlike foul on Forthsky Padrigao when the former grabbed the latter’s arm to stop a fast break.

First, Padrigao splits his free throws to tie the game at 80, but UST had two more chances to win. He then missed two badly executed three-point attempts, sending the game into overtime.

TAFTgher to beat

Kevin Quiambao and Phillips both scored in overtime to give the Archers an 84-80 advantage, which EJ Gollena increased to six after hitting 3-of-3 from the free line with more than three minutes remaining. 

Kyle Paranada was fouled but missed both of his free throws, in an attempt to cut the Archers’ lead. Quiambao and Phillips capitalized by scoring four straight points to reclaim a 10-point lead, 91-81.

Despite the victory, Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson stated that his team still has a long way to go, particularly after they committed 26 turnovers, allowing the Tigers to come back and force an overtime.

“Just like what I said earlier, we were not surprised about UST or how other teams that we’re going to face really play their best when they’re playing against us,” said DLSU’s Robinson. 

“Sabi nga namin, it’s part of this challenge. This season will be the hardest for us. What’s important here is how we really take care of each other through those challenges, but you have to give these guys a chance to grow.”

“Sila na mismo naga-admit ng kung anong mali nila. I just let them acknowledge their mistakes, and let them learn from them. That extra five minutes really gave us a breathing room to really get our act together,” he added.

MVP things

Quiambao, who’s still the frontrunner for the UAAP Season 87 Most Valuable Player race, finished with a career-high 29 points, along with nine rebounds and dished out three assists. 

This has been the most scored by a single player this season, surpassing his previous high of 24 set during Game 3 of the Season 86 Finals on December 6.

“I think the lesson we learned is that we need to execute our system from the first to the fourth quarter because the game doesn’t end after the third. After that, we relaxed a bit, and coach reminded us that UST could come back, so we needed to be prepared,” said Quiambao.

Meanwhile, Phillips, another MVP candidate, recorded another double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Raven Gonzales provided an effective 11 points and four rebounds in just 11 minutes of play.

Nic Cabañero led UST with 23 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and three steals. However, the team lost their second game in a row, sliding to 4-5. They stay in fourth position, only half a game ahead of 3-5.

Padrigao ended with 15 points, while Mo Tounkara, who was ejected at 3:38 in the fourth quarter after receiving two technical fouls for taunting, scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds.