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UAAP: DLSU repeats over UP, extends winning streak

by Bryan Gadingan

ON A COLD rainy Sunday evening, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers were scorching hot, defeating the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons 77-66 to extend their winning streak. 

As expected, due to the bad blood and narrative that surrounds their matchup, the Smart Araneta Coliseum was packed with 13,820 people for the second meeting of last season’s finalists.

This was the Green Archers’ fourth consecutive victory over the Fighting Maroons, following Games 2 and 3 of UAAP Season 86’s finals and the 68-56 win in this season’s first round encounter.

DLSU is just one win away from sweeping the second round eliminations of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament, and they have already swept UP this year, while securing the first seed in the Final Four round.

The TAFTer squad 

During the early phases of the game, both teams had difficulty scoring. DLSU hit 5 of 16 from the field, while UP made 7 of 21, leaving the first quarter with the latter team leading 14-12. 

JD Cagulangan and Jacob Bayla ramped up the heat in the second quarter, and the tempo quickly increased. The Fighting Maroons led 37-26 at one point, courtesy of their gritty defense and transition offense. 

Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group

The Green Archers quickly erased their deficit, courtesy of Kevin Quiambao’s brilliance and strong shooting, combined with Mike Phillips’ effort. However, at the end of the first half, UP led still 43-40.

Meanwhile, EJ Gollena, JC Macalalag, and Phillips were all over the Taft-based squad. They outsmarted UP’s defense, finishing the third quarter with a 57-51 lead. 

The Green Archers came out strong in the fourth quarter, ensuring that the lead remained with them. Joshua David, Quiambao, and Macalalag exchanged baskets with UP to maintain their nine-game winning streak.

Job’s not finished

More than just being at the top of the standings, La Salle has demonstrated an outstanding willingness to give everything they have to win a game. However, job’s not finished for them.

“It’s about everybody. It’s about the team. Guys were just ready to compete again, what we always say as one of the best teams in college, said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson.

“We tried our best to be at par and compete against them. Credit to these guys for really competing and not giving up in the second half,” he added.

Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group

After a subpat performance against the Final Four-seeking Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, in which Quiambao finished with only eight points, the reigning MVP had a different mindset heading into Sunday’s game.

“Coming into this game, different mindset pero same approach pa rin. Hindi ako pwedeng magmukmok kung ano yung performance ko last game,” shared Quiambao, who bounced back from a 2-of-17 shooting performance

“Go with the flow lang ako, hindi ko na iniisip kung ano yung magiging performance ko basta manalo kami this game,” added Quiambao, who finished the game with 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

Remnants of bad blood

Aside from basketball, there may have been remnants of bad blood from the reported spitting incident in the first round, as DLSU’s Robinson dismissed the ignoring of a few UP members’ handshakes.

Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group

“I wasn’t really paying attention to that because I don’t have control of those things and ang role namin is to be the best that we could be,” Robinson said. “Those things don’t really bother me. I’ve been in the game for 30 years now. I’ve seen worse.“

“I don’t really care about it. It’s none of my business it they don’t want to. It doesn’t make me a lesser person.”

“It doesn’t really bother me — I mean, I love the competition, and I love the sportsmanship of the game. It doesn’t really bother me. I don’t really care about it,” Robinson went on to share his thoughts on the matter. 

Nonetheless, the Green Archers are now 12-1 as they prepare for their last elimination round game against the National University (NU) Bulldogs on Wednesday, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

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