The De La Salle University Green Archers against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA (UPDATED) — De La Salle University will battle the University of the Philippines (UP) anew to defend its UAAP men's basketball crown.

The Green Archers will head to their second straight Finals appearance after they dominated Adamson University, 70-55, in their Season 87 Final 4 faceoff, Saturday evening at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

Fresh off his Gilas Pilipinas stint, Kevin Quiambao had 14 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two blocks to lead La Salle, while Mike Phillips provided energy by putting up eight markers, eight boards, five steals, four dimes, and two blocks.

"Prior to this game, pinagusapan ng coaches namin sa team meeting namin na magsisimula ito sa zero-zero ulit eh. Nag focus lang kami sa strength namin. May ups and downs kami this game, pero yung resilience pinakita lang namin," commented Quiambao during the postgame presser. 

"It's nice to be back in the Finals," added Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson. "These guys did what they needed to do to honor the game, so again, it's nice to be back in the Finals. Only eight guys are coming in from last season and seven are new, so that can also be a challenge for us. 

After only holding an 18-11 lead at the conclusion of the first 10 minutes of action, the Taft-based cagers turned the heat up on the defensive end as they went on to limit the Soaring Falcons to only six points in the second quarter.

This helped La Salle to build a lead that grew to as much as 27 later on, and this also was enough breathing space for DLSU despite Adamson U crawling back to only 13 points down, 63-50, after an and-one by Ced Manzano in the fourth frame's 3:53 mark.

What helped the Soaring Falcons in their comeback attempt in the last period was them limiting La Salle to only four points in the first six minutes, but incoming back-to-back MVP Quiambao helped the Green Archers regain control by scoring four straight points, bringing their lead back to 17, 67-50.

The reigning champions will now shift their focus on retaining the hoops title in Vito Cruz, and standing in their way are the Fighting Maroons which they defeated in three games in Season 86.

"Finals na 'to eh," said Quiambao on facing UP anew. "Bibigay mo na lahat para sa school mo, kasi ayun nga, tatlong game lang 'to o dalawa, kung di mo pa ibigay pa yung best mo, baka may pagsisihan ka pa in the future so be present lang na masaya kami na nandito kami sa finals." 

"Pero di pa tapos trabaho namin, at marami pa kaming kailangang trabahuin," he furthered.

On the other hand, Royce Mantua led AdU with 14 markers, while Manzano contributed 13 points, nine rebounds, and one assist for the Nash Racela-coached squad.

Game 1 of the Best-of-3 series is on Sunday, December 8, at 5:30 p.m., also at the Big Dome.

THE SCORES:

La Salle 70 –– Quiambao 14, David 11, Phillips 8, Ramiro 7, Marasigan 6, Dungo 5, Gonzales 5, Agunanne 4, Dungo 4, Konov 4, Austria 2, Macalalag 0, Gollena 0, Alian 0. 

Adamson 55 — Mantua 14, Manzano 13, Anabo 6, Yerro 6, Erolon 5, Ramos 3, Dignadice 3, Ojarikre 2, Barasi 2, Montebon 1, Alexander 0, Barcelona 0, Ignacio 0, Ronzone 0. 

Quarterscores: 18-11, 36-17, 59-34, 70-55.