DLSU’s Kevin Quiambao tries to score off UP’s Jacob Bayla during Game 2 of the UAAP men’s basketball Finals Wednesday night. UAAP photo
Game 2 curse continues for Fighting Maroons
PRIOR to Wednesday night, University of the Philippines is 12-0 this season when leading after three quarters in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
But the Fighting Maroons’ Game 2 curse continues, as they went 0-5 overall in the Final Four era.
La Salle extended its reign to another day, nipping UP, 76-75, before 17,112 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Green Archers will play Game 3 for a record 10th time at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. La Salle is 5-4 all-time in winner-take-all games.
Newly-minted two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao has scored or assisted the Green Archers’ last eight points, as the Fighting Maroons crumbled down the stretch.
Coach Topex Robinson emphasized that it was not Quiambao, who scored 14 of his 22 points in the second half, carried La Salle when the chips were down.
“First, I just wanna be clear that, you know, KQ is just one of us. When we were down and out, these guys just told everybody that just don’t give up, just keep playing,” Robinson said.
In a major adjustment, Quiambao came off the bench and it worked wonders for the Green Archers.
Quiambao struggled in the series-opening 65-73 loss, as he scored only a point in the second half after dropping 18 in the first two quarters.
“I guess we made the necessary scouts in the end game and just gave us the opportunity to connect from the outside, but I don’t know what happened and I don’t know what transpired. We’re so grateful that we got to see another day and get to play another game for the championship.”
With La Salle still has a shot for its first back-to-back title run since winning four in a row from 1998 to 2001, Robinson is grateful to steer his team to another Game 3.
“It’s always a blessing to have these guys, and I mean, I’m just so grateful that we have these players, as we go to battle with these guys. That’s why I’m so thankful that these guys are really responding to the challenge,” Robinson said.
Games Sunday:
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
11 a.m. – UST vs UE (JHS Finals)
1 p.m. – NU vs UST (Women Finals)
5:30 p.m. – DLSU vs UP (Men Finals)
