La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao. Photo from UAAP Media

MANILA — De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas' respective title defenses in the UAAP Season 87 men's and women's basketball tourneys both started in admirable fashion.

The Green Archers and the Growling Tigers both are sitting at the top of their respective decisions with 3-0 records each and at the forefront of their squads are Kevin Quiambao and Kent Pastrana. 

"So far, lahat sa amin, marami pang pagkukulang, especially me, marami pa akong pagkukulang dahil bago nga lang ako sa leadership role," said the 23-year-old Quiambao who was named as the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Players of the Week awards for September 7 to 15 alongside Pastrana. 

"Pero kailangan lang namin na gawin namin yung best namin and control yung mako-control namin," added the reigning MVP, who averaged monster numbers of 18.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game against the National University, Adamson University, and Ateneo de Manila University.

Against NU, he hit the game-winning 3-pointer as he sank nine of the last 14 points of the Taft-based cagers. He was also the charging force behind the Archers in a 30-point rout against the Soaring Falcons, and flirted with a triple-double against the Blue Eagles.

Quiambao got the unanimous vote over UP's JD Cagulangan, UST's Nic Cabanero, and Adamson's Monty Montebon.

READ: La Salle flexes might over Ateneo in lopsided rivalry game

UST’s Kent Pastrana. Photo from UAAP Media

Meanwhile in women's hoops, Pastrana's huge performances against the University of the East, Ateneo, and Adamson put the Tigresses firmly ahead of the competition.

She averaged 16.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in the stretch, which saw UST blow out its first two opponents before fending off Adamson on Sunday to stay unbeaten.

She edged out reigning women's MVP Kacey dela Rosa of Ateneo, UP's Louna Ozar, and NU's Camille Clarin to bag the distinction.  

The 24-year-old winger voiced her readiness to lead by example as she assumed the leadership role for the Tigresses.

READ: Pastrana shakes off shooting woes, lifts UST over Adamson

"Oo, meron talagang nagbago [sa mindset.] Unang una yung maturity talaga kasi yun nga sinasabi sa akin palagi ni coach ikaw yung isa sa leader sa loob ng court, kailangan mag-set ka ng tone so kung ano iyong ipinapakita mo sa loob," she said.

"Lahat susunod talaga lalo na yung mga bata kasi yun nga magseset ka ng good example sa loob ng court as a veteran."

La Salle will try to continue its winning ways in the men's tournament as it faces the UE Red Warriors on Sunday, September 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena as UST aims to make it four in a row in women's play also against NU in last season's Finals rematch on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.