De La Salle University’s Kevin Quiambao against the University of the Philippines. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.

MANILA (UPDATED) — De La Salle University has swept the University of the Philippines (UP) in the elimination round of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament.

The defending champions reasserted their mastery of the Fighting Maroons through a 77-66 victory during their Sunday evening match at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

This win assured La Salle of the top seed after the end of the eliminations as they improved to 12-1 in the team standings, while UP fell to 9-3 and will enter the Final Four as the No.2 seed.

Kevin Quiambao posted 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal to lead the Green Archers, while backstopping him was Mike Phillips who had a 14-point, 10-rebound game with one steal. 

"It's about everybody. It's about the team," La Salle's Topex Robinson said about their win.

"Guys were just ready to compete again. As I've said, [they're] one of the best teams in the college. We tried our best to be at par and compete against them. Credits to our guys for competing and not giving up, especially in the second half."

Only a one-possession game at halftime — with DLSU even trailing 37-26 in the first half — the Archers leaned on their defense in the second half and went on to limit UP to scoring only 23 in the last 20 minutes of action, including only eight in the third.

"For me, it's really a testament to our defensive coach, Coach Mon Jose," said Phillips. "He really makes sure he's really specific with what we want to do in preparing for the game. Coach Topex reminded us at halftime how much work we should put in."

"More than our offense, it's our defense, how we're able to respond to the physicality of the challenges we have, and hopefully, that's something we keep improving moving forward."

This allowed the Taft-based team to eventually build a lead that grew to double digits in the second half, and that was all they needed to turn back the Maroons yet again in Season 87.

JD Cagulangan paced his team with 22 markers, six boards, five dimes, and four steals, but they will have to go back to the drawing board as this is their second straight defeat.

The Fighting Maroons were not at full strength in the game as they played without big man Quentin Millora-Brown, who returned to the United States to rejoin his family with the passing of his grandfather Angel.

READ: Quentin Millora-Brown to miss UP’s anticipated clash vs La Salle

THE SCORES:

La Salle 77 – Quiambao 15, M. Phillips 14, David 12, Macalalag 9, Gonzales 7, Agunanne 6, Gollena 4, Dungo 4, Ramiro 2, Austria 2, Marasigan 2, Rubico 0.

UP 66 – Cagulangan 22, Bayla 10, Torculas 9, Torres 8, Lopez 6, Stevens 3, Alarcon 2, Fortea 2, Alter 2, Briones 2, Ududo 0, Abadiano 0, Felicilda 0, Belmonte 0.

Quarterscores: 12-14, 40-43, 57-51, 77-66.