By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers clinched the crown of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament after a 73-69 victory over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the do-or-die Game 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night, December 6.
Kevin Quiambao led the way with 24 points, including four three-point conversions, to go with nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks to be named Finals MVP for the Green Archers.
Evan Nelle added 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds in his final game with the Green Archers, while Michael Phillips hauled 16 rebounds to go with five points and four assists.
This was the Green Archers’ first UAAP men’s basketball championship since hoisting the crown in 2016.
Overall, this was the Taft-based dribbles’ 10th crown in the league.
The Green Archers trailed early in the game before bouncing back and taking the lead at 11-10 on back-to-back triples by Quiambao and Joshua David.
The game was tied at 15-all before DLSU surged to a 22-21 edge behind JC Macalalag and Phillips.
The Fighting Maroons opened the second frame with a strong run to build a 37-28 lead, but the Green Archers responded with inside hits from Phillips and Negrense Mark Nonoy to cut the deficit to 39-43 at the half.
The Green Archers opened the third quarter with a massive run from Francis Escandor, Quiambao and Nelle to surge ahead at 51-47, but the Fighting Maroons answered with shots from Maodo Malick Diouf and Negrense Harold Alarcon to retake a 58-55 lead.
The Fighting Maroons went on to widen the lead to 65-58 via a three-pointer from CJ Cansino and an inside hit from Diouf, but the Green Archers got three-pointers from Quiambao and Nelle to cut the deficit to 66-67.
A floater and two free throws by Quiambao gave the Green Archers a 70-67 lead with over five minutes left.
After several scoreless minutes between the two teams, DLSU went on to seal the win and the championship on free throws by Quiambao.
Diouf ended his stint with the Fighting Maroons with a double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds. Francis Lopez added 12 points and nine rebounds, while Alarcon contributed 10 markers.
DLSU 73 — Quiambao 24, Nelle 12, Policarpio 8, Nonoy 8, Macalalag 5, M. Phillips 5, Escandor 4, David 3, Austria 3, Cortez 1, Manuel 0, B. Phillips 0, Abadam 0, Nwankwo 0.
UP 69 — Diouf 21, Lopez 12, Alarcon 10, Cagulangan 8, Felicilda 5, Cansino 5, Torculas 4, Abadiano 2, Torres 2, Pablo 0, Fortea 0.
Quarterscores: 22-21, 39-43, 55-58, 73-69./ASC, WDJ