By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Harold Alarcon’s season-best game went to waste as the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons bowed to the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 68-56, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, October 6.
The Negros Occidental’s Silay City native Alarcon caught fire in the third quarter, where he unloaded 14 of his 19 points total as the Fighting Maroons tied the Green Archers at 42-all.
However, the Green Archers quickly restored order with conversions from Kevin Quiambao, Joshua David, Vhoris Marasigan, and Michael Phillips to restore a double-digit lead the rest of the way.
Quiambao led the way for the Green Archers with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds, while David chipped in 14 markers as they surged to first place in the standings with a 6-1 win-loss slate.
“We’re just very happy on how things turned out. We know it’s gonna be a grind-out game. We know it’s gonna be a game of turns. Sabi nga, we were able to weather the storm. Alam naman namin what UP can do and capable of doing. We’re just happy the players responded,” La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario said.
“Coming into this game, sinabi lang sa amin ng coaching staff, Believe and Faith, na kaya naming talunin lahat ng team. So ‘yung pagkatalo namin sa [University of the East] is a wake-up call sa amin. This game, sobrang gigil kami na makuha itong panalo na ito kasi marami pa kami kailangang i-improve,” Quiambao said.
Aside from Alarcon, one-and-done center Quentin Millora-Brown also hit double-digits for the Fighting Maroons with 10 points to go with 10 rebounds as they suffered their first defeat in seven games./ASC, WDJ
DLSU 68 — Quiambao 20, David 14, Macalalag 7, Ramiro 5, Abadam 5, Marasigan 5, Phillips 4, Gollena 4, Austria 2, Agunanne 2, Gonzales 0.
UP 56 — Alarcon 19, Millora-Brown 10, Lopez 8, Torres 6, Belmonte 5, Fortea 5, Abadiano 2, Bayla 1, Stevens 0, Felicilda 0, Torculas 0, Ududo 0.
Quarterscores: 19-13, 38-25, 51-46, 68-56.