The University of the Philippine Fighting Maroons has successfully reclaimed the trophy after dethroning the De La Salle University Green Archers, 66-62, in the final game of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
Francis Lopez, who acknowledged his fault in the Fighting Maroons’ Game 2 one-point defeat, woke up at the right side of the bed and proved to everyone what he got. With 1:12 remaining in the game, Lopez extended their lead to four, 64-60, with a booming three-point shot.
Millora-Brown’s Clutch Free Throws Seal UP’s Win
EJ Gollena of the Green Archers quickly scored a layup to cut UP’s deficit to two, 64-62, but Quentin Millora-Brown stayed focused as he sank two crucial free throws in crunch time to seal the game, 66-62.
Back-to-back MVP Kevin Quiambao’s attempts for a three-point shot went wide. Gollena was then fouled but he missed his two free throws, giving the Fighting Maroons the trophy.
“I want to thank God for this one. ‘Yung preparation ang pinaka-importante sa amin. Siyempre, ‘yung sakit ng two years, ginawa naming motivation. No matter how hard it is to prepare, nilaban namin,” Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde said after the match.
“It was tough, especially with a team like La Salle. They have a strong program.”
Millor-Brown, who is a one-and-done center from The Citadel in the US NCAA, posted a double-double performance of 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Lopez finished the match with a double-double of 12 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
JD Cagulangan, who was hailed as the Finals MVP, added 12 points in his final game for the Fighting Maroons.
“First of all, gusto ko magpasalamat sa Diyos. Hindi niya kami pinabayaan. Madami kaming ups and downs at ginuide niya kami ng maayos,” said Cagulangan, the same player whose three-point shot in UAAP Season 84 ended the school’s 36-year title drought.
“Gusto ko magpasalamat kay Coach Gold at sa buong coaching staff dahil sa tiwala na binigay nila sa amin. At sa mga teammates ko, salamat sa inyo pare. Ang dami nating pinagdaanan,” he continued.
Phillips Leads, But Quiambao Struggles in La Salle’s Loss
Phillips led the Green Archers with 18 points and 12 rebounds while Quiambao, who played his last game for the Green Archers, was limited to just 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting. Interestingly, Quiambao’s playmaking ability was absent in the crucial game as he finished the match with zero assists.
Quiambao sat out during a critical stretch in the fourth quarter as he was replaced by Philips with 5:20 minutes remaining, with UP just holding on to a three-point lead, 61-58. Quiambao re-entered the game with 1:49 minutes remaining with the score still at 61-58.
The Fighting Maroons drew first blood in Game 1, 73-65, before the Green Archers won the second game with a hairline margin, 76-75.
