The DLSU Green Archers were handed their first loss of UAAP Season 87 after being outmaneuvered by the UE Red Warriors in a heartbreaking defeat, 75-71, earlier tonight, September 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Staying persistent for the Green Archers was Kevin Quiambao who still managed to tally 17 points, followed by Mike Phillips with 16 points and Vhoris Marasigan, who carried the team’s defense, with 10 markers.
UE’s John Abate notched the Player of the Game award as he led the team’s charge, contributing 20 points and five rebounds, supported by Wello Lingolingo’s 18-point contribution. Gjerard Wilson also tallied ten markers, with three steals and two assists.
Ghastly stump
Opening the match for the Green Archers was M. Phillips with a convincing shot from the two-point mark. Two opponents rose above in three minutes, contributing to their team’s arsenal. Abate executed a three-pointer, followed by a fastbreak and layup courtesy of Rainer Maga, and an easy steal, 10-2. With an eight-point deficit, the Green-and-White’s frail offense was evident as they failed to capitalize on their scoring attempts and rebounds.
With six minutes left in the opening quarter, Andrew Dungo, Joshua David, and Quiambao entered the court, hoping to improve the team’s scoring outputs as Dungo made a two-point bucket to close the gap, 10-4. La Salle attempted to match the fast pace, but UE’s pristine offense allowed them to go on a seven-point rampage against the Green Archers with contributions from their reliable scorers Abate and Wilson, 17-6. Even trick shots and trademark smart passes of La Salle were not enough to counter UE’s efficient play, as the opening frame ended with UE in the lead, 28-11.
Much like the initial quarter, DLSU still struggled with their scoring, as every basket was hard to come by. The low-scoring output and weak turnovers made it difficult for the Green-and-White to find their footing during the second quarter. Bright spots for the Archers were the persistent Phillips, Gollena, and Quiambao trifecta, who stayed patient with their scoring, be it free throws or field goals, 33-26. In the attempt to close the gap, a quick assist by Quiambao to Agunanne marked the end of the half, which cut down UE’s lead to four, 42-38.
Unscalable wall
The DLSU Green Archers entered the second half with adjusted defensive strategies. However, this approach quickly backfired as they accrued three fouls within the first three minutes of the third quarter. While the Taft-based squad was able to contain the offense of the Red Warriors, they suffered the consequences of their faulty turnovers on the other end of the floor. M. Phillips committed two fouls, which the red team capitalized on to build momentum, raining down three-pointers to extend their lead to nine, 49-40. While JC Macalalag contributed with a quick basket and Agunanne converted two free throws, the third frame concluded with a score of 56-50 in favor of UE.
The Green-and-White struggled to gain the lead throughout the game as they entered the fourth quarter. A series of imprecise turnovers and fouls denied their progress, which allowed the Red Warriors to score consecutively, extending their lead to 60-53. Each offensive effort by the DLSU Green Archers was met with a corresponding turnover, which kept the Taft-based team in the ropes. With five minutes remaining and La Salle trailing, Quiambao and Dungo committed crucial fouls, further dampening the team’s momentum to convert plays. In a bid to reignite hope, M. Phillips drained a three-pointer, closing the gap to 69-58.
The Quiambao and M. Phillips tandem worked together as they exchanged steals and assists, which they eventually converted to points. Quiambao attempted a three-pointer, which missed, but Phillips aggressively rebounded and converted another and-one, pumping the score for La Salle to 73-67. The significant lead held by the UE was suddenly under threat as the energy in the arena shifted in favor of the Green Archers due to M. Phillips’ unwavering efforts.
With 1:47 remaining, M. Phillips secured another steal and passed to Quiambao, whose three-point attempt missed. Nevertheless, he grabbed the rebound, muscling his way inside for two points and narrowing the gap to four to 73-69.
The Green Archers urgently needed a defensive stop, which they achieved as Quiambao forced a turnover from the Red Warriors to regain possession with 15.8 seconds left in the game. UE then fouled Quiambao, who, facing a penalty situation, stepped to the charity stripe but missed two crucial shots that could have potentially tied the game. UE secured the rebound and ran down the clock before David fouled them with 4.4 seconds remaining. Abate sank both free throws, ultimately sealing the victory for the determined Red Warriors, 75-71.
Following this harsh loss, the DLSU Green Archers aim to regroup as they prepare for a brawl with the FEU Tamaraws on Wednesday, September 25, at 4:30 pm, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
DLSU 71 – Quiambao 17, M. Phillips 16, Marasigan 10, Agunanne 8, Gollena 6, Macalalag 5, Gonzales 3, David 2, Dungo 2, Abadam 2, Ramiro 0
UE 75 – Abate 20, Lingolingo 18, Wilson 10, Galang 7, Maga 7, Momowei 5, Cruz-Dumont 5, Fikes 3, Jimenez 0, Mulingtapang 0, Malaga III 0
Quarter Scores: 11-28, 38-42, 50-56, 71-75
