UAAP: Kevin Quiambao powers La Salle in win against NU
Reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao leads the De La Salle Green Archers to defeat the National University Bulldogs in their toe-to-toe battle, 78-75 in the opening game of the UAAP Season 87 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Green Archers superstar scored nine of his 22 points in the clutch including the winning triple with 9.8 seconds left that basically ended the game.
“What we want didn’t click, I just pointed to myself that I need to take over and there’s a guy that we need to rely on,” said Quiambao, who also collared eight rebounds, and seven assists.
DLSU head coach Topex Robinson was also on high about his prized 6’7” forward.
“That’s the beauty about having him. He will always make the right decisions. He even said that put the blame on him no matter what,” Coach Topex said.
True enough to his words, KQ led the Green Archers comeback from a 71-64 deficit and spearheaded the 14-4 run to end the game.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 78 – Quiambao 22, M. Phillips 12, Gollena 10, Abadam 8, Ramiro 6, Gonzales 6, Macalalag 5, David 4, Agunanne 2, Dungo 2, Marasigan 1, Konov 0.
NU 75 – Figueroa 15, Palacielo 15, Manansala 10, Padrones 7, Jumamoy 6, Francisco 6, Enriquez 4, Yu 2, Garcia 2, Lim 2, Perciano 2, Santiago 2, Dela Cruz 2, Diassana 0.
Quarters: 23-18, 45-45, 60-65, 78-75.
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Sedrick Barefield paced Blackwater with 15 points, while Richard Escoto added 14. The Bossing, despite falling short in the finals, had an impressive run in the preliminaries, including a comeback win over NLEX, 95-90, earlier in the tournament.
The championship serves as a timely boost for NLEX heading into the new PBA season. Last year, the Road Warriors finished second in the Philippine Cup eliminations before bowing out in the quarterfinals against Rain or Shine. Deputy mentor Adonis Tierra called the shots in their last two games, steering the team to become the second straight PBA squad to lift the Kadayawan crown, following Rain or Shine’s sweep in 2024. NLEX closed the tournament with a 3-1 card, their lone loss coming at the hands of Blackwater.
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