By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers overcame a slow start to defeat the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 82-60, in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night, December 3.
Francis Escandor hoisted four three-pointers, to finish with 14 points, to go with one rebound, one assist and one block as the Green Archers tied the best-of-three title series at 1-1.
Joshua David chipped in 12 markers, built on four three-point connections, while Cyrus Austria ended with 11 markers and five rebounds for the Green Archers.
Down 2-12 early in the first quarter, the Green Archers slowly clawed their way back behind Negrense Mark Nonoy and David as they cut the deficit to 24-27.
The Green Archers were able to tie the score at 29-all early in the second period before they pulled away courtesy of back-to-back three-pointers from Escandor for a 44-38 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, it was David’s turn to wax hot from the outside as he connected with two triples coupled with inside hits from Kevin Quiambao and Michael Phillips to establish a 65-49 advantage.
The Fighting Maroons continued their offensive struggle in the fourth quarter, as the Green Archers took advantage to break the game wide open as the lead reached as high as 22 points.
“When UP went on a 12-2 start, we kinda buckled down on our defense. We made some stops, and we weathered the storm,” Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson said.
Maodo Malick Diouf had a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Crispin John Cansino and Negrense Harold Alarcon ended with 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Fighting Maroons.
The do-or-die Game 3 between the Green Archers and the Fighting Maroons is slated at the same venue on Wednesday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m.
DLSU 82 — Escandor 14, David 12, Austria 11, M. Phillips 9, Quiambao 9, Nonoy 8, Macalalag 7, Cortez 6, Nelle 4, B. Phillips 2, Manuel 0, Abadam 0, Policarpio 0.
UP 60 — Cansino 11, Diouf 11, Alarcon 10, Lopez 9, Cagulangan 6, Felicilda 6, Torculas 4, Abadiano 3, Belmonte 0, Pablo 0, Torres 0, Alter 0, Gonzales 0, Briones 0.
Quarterscores: 24-27, 44-38, 65-49, 82-60./ASC, WDJ