The DLSU Green Archers opened their UAAP Season 87 title defense with a down-to-the-wire victory over the feisty NU Bulldogs, 78-75, earlier tonight, September 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Player of the Game Kevin Quiambao almost claimed a triple-double in the season opener with 22 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, which was capped off with a game-winning three for the Green Archers. Michael Phillips added a double-double performance of his own with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while EJ Gollena gave an outstanding outing with 10 points in their title defense opener.
On the other side of the court, Jake Figueroa tallied 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists for the Bulldogs, while PJ Palacielo added a double 15 points and 12 rebounds in the three-point loss.
Opening jitters
After a successful preseason campaign, the DLSU Green Archers struggled to score a point in the opening minutes of their first game of UAAP Season 87. One-and-done point-guard Lian Ramiro scored the first basket of La Salle with a top-of-the-key three under seven minutes left in the first quarter, 4-3, which sparked the Green-and-White to get their groves rolling.
At the halfway mark of the opening quarter, the team from Taft once again struggled offensively despite getting multiple stops. Every run La Salle made, NU countered with one of their own, tying the game at 13-all. Quiambao quickly broke the deadlock with a layup, and Raven Gonzales added an emphatic jam to build a four-point cushion, 17-13. As the Green Archers started to pull away, Figueroa responded with a personal four-point run to end the first quarter at 23-18.
Coming off the quarter break, Andrei Dungo and Vhoris Marasigan were subbed in and eventually tied the game with a couple of free throws for La Salle, 26-all. Both teams shook off the opening jitters as they exchanged baskets midway through the second period.
The Bulldogs strung together consecutive baskets and pulled away with a Palacielo jumper, making it 39-33. The defending champions did not let the lead balloon, as Josh David and Phillips knocked down a couple of free throws to cut the lead to a single possession, 39-37. Reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao took matters into his own hands, draining a baseline jumper and a three-pointer to tie the game at 45-all entering the halftime break.
Tables turned, triumph earned
With a chance to turn the tables after a quarter of trailing behind, the defending champions struggled with the inconsistent offense as they failed to capitalize on several scrambling possessions come the third quarter. Gollena wasted no time as the second half commenced, putting in a tripler to clinch the lead, 48-45. From thereon, both teams showed out from in the paint as the lead constantly changed from both ends, with a floater by Quiambao giving La Salle a meek one-point lead, 56-55. But a Palacielo-Jumamoy pairing proved to be the Achilles’ heel of the reigning champions as they ignited a 10-4 run by the Bulldogs to give them a comfortable five-point cushion as the quarter ended, 65-60.
With a final chance in the closing quarter, it was still a long shot for the Green Archers without a Herculean effort. Possessions for the Green-and-White were repetitively squandered, but NU promptly struck the opportunity to push the lead up to seven courtesy of tweeners Manansala, Figueroa, and Palacielo, 71-64.
After a seemingly low offensive show by the Taft-based squadron, Earl Abadam made a much-needed emergence from the shadows; he made four straight markers off a jumper and two freebies to keep the team at bay and boosted the first of two crucial treys by Quiambao, putting the match at deadlock just in time for the last two minutes. But, the Bulldogs continued to fight back as Palacielo immediately notched a putback to regain the lead, 73-71.
However, the reigning MVP had other plans as he quickly answered back with three points off a layup and freebie and finally sealed the match with the victory-clasping shot from beyond the arc to deny the Bulldogs a victorious Season 86 Final Four rematch, cementing the maiden win for the Green Archers in their title defense campaign, 78-75.
After the wire-to-wire victory, Head Coach Topex Robinson shared his thoughts on the opening win against the Bulldogs, “Most of the games that were gonna play are like this. What’s good about this experience against NU is gonna make us better. You know, we really find ways to win. We know that all teams are gonna go out guns blazing every time we’re gonna go up against us.”
Quiambao talked about the clutch basket to tow the Green Archers to victory: “Ginawa ko lang is glue guy lead by example then, ayon, good thing pumasok yun tira ko.” Quiambao and Robinson shared a laugh as the reigning MVP revealed that even if his shot goes in or out, Coach Topex will blame him.
(I made myself a glue guy, and it’s a good thing my shot went in.)
Following this resounding victory, the DLSU Green Archers aim to build on their winning momentum as they face the Adamson Falcons on Wednesday, September 11, at the same venue.
The Scores:
DLSU 78 – Quiambao 22, M. Phillips 12, Gollena 10, Abadam 8, Gonzales 6, Ramiro 6, Macalalag 5, David 4, Agunanne 2, Dungo 2, Marasigan 1, Konov 0
NU 75 – Figueroa 15, Palacielo 15, Manansala 10, Padrones 7, Francisco 6, Jumamoy 6, Enriquez 4, Dela Cruz 2, Garcia 2, Lim 2, Perciano 2, Santiago 2, Yu 2, Diassana 0
Quarter Scores: 23-18, 45-45, 60-65, 78-75
