De La Salle University vented its ire on the hapless University of Santo Tomas, 91-71, to return to the win column of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
Ahead by just 11 at the half, the Green Archers got contributions from Kevin Quiambao, Jonnel Policarpio, and Joaqui Manuel to expand their lead to a whopping 26 points with 3:37 to play in the third frame, 66-40.
The Green Archers maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way.
“Guys really fought it out. They came into this game knowing how important this is for us not only as a team but as a program. Credit goes to my players,” said La Salle Head Coach Topex Robinson.
The Green Archers, coming off a 77-72 loss against Ateneo de Manila University, improved to 2-1 tied with National University and Adamson University.
Quiambao and Joshua David led the balanced scoring of La Salle with 14 points apiece, while Manuel chimed in with 11 points of his own.
Evan Nelle registered nine points and seven assists, while Policarpio had nine points and six rebounds in his first start.
“Sa akin sobrang big deal na binigyan ako ng chance ni Coach Topex na makabalik at makalaro. Sobrang thankful lang din ako na nakabalik na ako at nakakatulong ako sa team,” said David, who sat both Seasons 84 and 85 out due to a torn ACL.
He was part of the Green Archers team that ruled the Season 85 men’s 3×3 basketball last May in Batangas.
Nic Cabañero was a one-man show with 25 points and five rebounds but committed eight turnovers as the Growling Tigers dropped to 0-3, extending their losing skid to 16 games.
La Salle will go for back-to-back wins on Wednesday against Adamson University.
UST, on the other hand, will enter a killer stretch, beginning with the Bulldogs on Wednesday followed by the University of the Philippines and the Blue Eagles.
The Scores:
DLSU 91 – Quiambao 14, David 14, Manuel 11, Nelle 9, Policarpio 9, Nwankwo 8, M. Phillips 5, Austria 5, Esxandor 5, Abadam 5, B, Phillips 4, Cortez 2, Macalalag 0, Gollena 0, I. Phillips 0.
UST 71 – Cabañero 25, Pangilinan 8, Manaytay 7, Laure 6, Duremdes 6, Manalang 5, Crisostomo 4, Calum 3, Gesalem 3, Ventulan 2, Llemit 2, Moore 0, Magdangal 0, Lazarte 0, Faye 0.