The duo of back-to-back MVP Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips refused to go home after leading the De La Salle University Green Archers in a hair-line win, 76-75, against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons to extend the finals series in a do-or-die game.
The Fighting Maroons had a commanding 71-63 lead in the middle of the fourth quarter before Quiambao proved to everyone that he’s deserving of the back-to-back MVP plum. In four minutes, Quiambao hit two crucial triples that put La Salle in the lead, 74-73, with a minute-and-a-half remaining.
Quiambao’s Heroics Ignite La Salle’s Comeback
UP’s Quentin Millora-Brown, the star of their game 1 victory against the Green Archers, stopped the bleeding with a layup to reclaim the lead, 75-74. Luckily for La Salle, Phillips’s hook shot found the bucket, making the game 76-75 with over a minute on the clock.
Fighting Maroons star Francis Lopez missed all four free throws before Phillips also missed his two freebies with 19.6 seconds remaining. Lopez secured the rebound off Phillips’ missed free throw but he turned the ball to La Salle after JD Cagulangan mishandled an errant pass.
With 12.1 seconds left, Quiambao also missed both his free throw attempts giving UP the ball in a final opportunity to bring home the trophy. Lopez struggled to control the ball as he passed it to Gerry Abadiano, who missed his three-point attempt from the corner, sealing the deal for La Salle, 76-75.
“I guess we made the necessary stops in the endgame and just gave ourselves the opportunity to really connect from the outside. I don’t know what happened or what transpired, but we’re so grateful that we get to see another day and play another championship game,” Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson said after their victory.
Green Archers Hold Their Ground for Game 3 Showdown
Quiambao once again led his team with a game-high 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and one steal. He had much-needed help from Phillips who had a double-double performance of 18 points and 12 rebounds, alongside two steals.
For the side of the Fighting Maroons, Cagulangan had 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Lopez tallied 16 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks. Abadiano contributed 16 points while Millora-Brown was limited to just 11 points and eight rebounds.
La Salle’s victory in the second game marked their 10th Game 3 appearance since the Final Four was introduced in the early 1990s. Notably, the defeat of the Fighting Maroons in this match marked their fifth consecutive defeat in game 2 of the best-of-three series.
The do-or-die winner-takes-all game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals will happen on Sunday, December 15, at 5:30 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
