La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao against Ateneo. Photo from UAAP Media

MANILA (UPDATED)  —- De La Salle University remained perfect in UAAP Season 87 after it flexed its might on Ateneo de Manila University in a lopsided rivalry game. 

The Green Archers imposed their dominance over the Blue Eagles, 74-61, during their men's basketball tournament clash at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Taft-based cagers were once again headed by Kevin Quiambao who posted 13 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, while helping the reigning league MVP was Mike Phillips who scored the same amount while also tallying 14 rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

"Yung mindset ko coming into this game, kailangan ko lang mag-step up," said Quiambao during the postgame presser. 

"Then nung game, medyo binatuhan kami ng defense ng Ateneo, bina-box-and-one nila ako the whole game. Kaya sinabi ko lang sa mga kasama ko na be ready lang dahil may mga moments na kayo malilibre, dapat may confidence kayo to take that shot, and be disciplined lang," continued the 6-foot-6 superstar.

Ateneo indeed played well in the first 20 minutes of action and went toe-to-toe with the Green Archers to show promising signs, and they were even only down 44-40 at halftime. 

La Salle then woke up in the third and limited Ateneo to only four points in that quarter.

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Still a lot to work on for unbeaten La Salle, says Topex

"We just reminded ourselves that you know if it's gonna be La Salle-Ateneo, there's no advantage, there's no team that has a strength," said DLSU head coach Topex Robinson on how they switched gears in the last half of the game. 

"It's just making sure we come out there with all of our hearts, be strong enough, and be courageous enough because we need everybody's help," added the champion coach.  

The scoring drought by the Katipunan-based team then continued in the fourth quarter and allowed DLSU to lead by as much as 20, 66-46, after an and-one by JC Macalalag at the 8:28 mark of the fourth period. That was all that the Lasallians needed to win their third in as many games. 

Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin shakes hands with La Salle's Kevin Quiambao after their UAAP Season 87 men's basketball game, September 15, 2024 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP MediaBlue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin acknowledged this and pointed out that it was a matter of a team committing mistakes that a young squad would do. 

"I think our offense got stagnant. First half, we did enough right things to be a danger on the offensive end. But the mentality in the third quarter, we fell in love with the three-point shot and our shots weren't falling," Baldwin said of his team which was led by Shawn Tuano's 18 markers and six boards.

This was Ateneo's worst start under Coach Tab as they opened the year at 0-3. They, however, showed some signs of life — even outscoring La Salle 17-15 in the final frame — and that is what the former Gilas Pilipinas mentor is opting to look at.

"You have to be patient with the process. You invest too much time on something that you know will pay dividends, you just don't know when it will pay dividends," he said.

On the other hand, Quiambao, whose team committed 22 turnovers to Ateneo's 13, maintains that there is still a lot to do for La Salle if they hope to show consistency as the season progresses. 

"Marami pa kaming na-learn sa larong to, tulad ng turnovers, napakarami. Yun yung mga kailangan naming i-work on moving forward," he said. 

The Scores:

LA SALLE 74 – Quiambao 13, M. Phillips 13, Macalalag 9, David 8, Gonzales 7, Gollena 6, Abadam 6, Dungo 6, Ramiro 2, Agunanne 2, Marasigan 2, Konov 0, Rubico 0.

ATENEO 61 – Tuano 18, Bongo 9, Porter 8, Bahay 8, Lazaro 6, Espina 6, Balogun 3, Quitevis 2, Espinosa 1, Gamber 0, Ong 0.

Quarters: 21-18, 44-40, 59-44, 74-61.