FINALLY, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons stopped the bleeding against De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, as they drew ‘first blood’ in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Finals.
UP entered this game looking for retribution after losing four straight games to DLSU, and they made sure that their fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum got what they came for: their first win against the formidable archers.
The Fighting Maroons brought their A-game, proving to be the most serious challenge to the Green Archers’ kingdom, with an impressive 73-65 victory, surviving the latter’s late-game surge.
After failing to close off their previous two Finals appearances, not to mention losing three consecutive Game 2s, the Diliman-based club showed determination and a new level of focus to get the job done this time.
Here comes the UProar
UP was in the zone from the start and shown a lot of intensity in the first quarter. They led throughout the first quarter before EJ Gollena took over for DLSU, scoring seven points for an 18-11 advantage.
Furthermore, reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao went on a rampage, scoring 14 points against the ravaging Fighting Maroons, with Harold Alarcon the only player who did not score in the second quarter.
Coming off a 37-41 halftime deficit, the Fighting Maroons, powered by Francis Lopez and Quentin Millora-Brown, came out on fire and reclaimed the lead 54-50 at the end of the third quarter.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Known for their second-half rallies, UP continued to rely on what has been working for them, with Millora-Brown and Aldous Torculas leading them to an 11-4 start in the final quarter, 65-54, with 5:56 remaining.
With 1:42 remaining, the Green Archers cut the deficit to 65-61 thanks to back-to-back baskets by Mike Phillips and one by Lian Ramiro. The Fighting Maroons responded with a clutch three from Gerry Abadiano.
Phillips was able to cut the score to 70-65 with 36.4 seconds remaining, but Alarcon and JD Cagulangan were determined to complete the victory with three successful free throws, ending UP’s four-game losing streak versus La Salle.
Not satisfied
Despite a dominating victory over their season tormentor, UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde downplayed the victory and emphasized the need of being focused in Game 2 to close out the series.
“Game 1’s won’t win championships. Although ang goal is to always win Game 1, nandito na kami, one game away,” Monteverde said during the post game press conference, emphasizing the need to close this series out.
“We just have to focus kung ano pa need namin i-improve in terms of lapses during the game kanina and try to prepare pa for the next game,” he went on to explain.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Millora-Brown, who missed their second-round game against DLSU due to his grandfather’s death, led UP with nearly a double-double of 17 points and nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block.
Cagulangan had 13 points, five assists, four rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Lopez finished with 13 points, six rebounds, four blocks, two assists, and one steal, while Abadiano added nine points and eight rebounds.
“We know naman that every game we play against La Salle, defense is really key to winning the game. I felt that nung second half, we had more intensity defensively [and] we communicated better,” the tactician explained.
“For me, it was a total team effort. Offensively, we moved the ball much better nung second quarter and good thing we sustained it to the second half,” Monteverde added.
TAFT time to panic
Despite their loss, the Green Archers fought valiantly against the Fighting Maroons. However, their main man Quiambao’s abysmal second-half performance may have cost them the cushion they require for this series.
Following an 18-point first half effort in which some believed he was on track to break his career best once more, the do-it-all forward went 0-for-6 from the field and committed six turnovers.
In his defense, head coach Topex Robinson highlighted UP’s defensive techniques with limiting Quiambao, which clearly affected their offensive flow, demonstrating that significant improvements are required to win this series.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“Just like what I said, they did a great job in stopping KQ,” said Robinson. “We weren’t able to make adjustments down the line. At this point, it’s just a matter of us really learning from this experience.”
“The only thing that I told the team is that there’s a reason this is a series. You don’t win the championship by just winning one game. You need to win two games, so we still have a chance. We’ve been in this situation before.”
“The good thing about the team in the dugout was nobody was blaming anybody. We’ve gone this far because of how we became a united front. We will not let any negativity get in our way,” added the tactician.
Quiambao remained the team’s top performance, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Despite his slump, Phillips stepped up in the second half, finishing with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
The DLSU Green Archers and Quiambao will aim to bounce back and equalize the series, while the UP Fighting Maroons will try to erase the curse and end the series on Wednesday, 5:30 PM, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
