THE humbling defeat to fabled rival Ateneo served as a wake up call for La Salle to be in the same page.

After dropping a 72-77 decision to the back-to-back title-seeking Blue Eagles, the Green Archers posted their first winning streak of the season to gain a share of second spot in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

“Our loss to Ateneo shook us in a way na we have to work together as a team. Sabi ko nga whatever it is we’re going through, as long as the same direction kami,” said coach Topex Robinson after La Salle subdued Adamson, 71-58, Wednesday night.

“That ignited the fire within the team,” he added.

The Green Archers banked on a huge third quarter, with Kevin Quiambao leading a 29-11 attack, 15 of which came from him.

Quiambao eventually finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead the Green Archers.

“Nung nag-stick kami sa system, kusang dumating yun,” Quiambao said on their pivotal third quarter run.

“Good thing, in-enjoy lang namin and every possession, talagang vinalue namin. Yung run na ‘yun is stick to the system lang,” he added.

The victory will serve as a good springboard to La Salle heading to a tough two-game stretch starting with National University on Sunday and University of the Philippines on Wednesday.

The Fighting Maroons are the remaining unbeaten team at 4-0, while the Green Archers are tied with the Bulldogs at No. 2 with a 3-1 record.

Meanwhile, the UAAP, taking a decisive step to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in officiating basketball games, yesterday has suspended three referees for a period of three weeks.

The league, in respect of the referees’ privacy, has upheld the names of the erring game officials.

The decision to suspend these referees is a direct result of subpar grades received from the Referee Game Report Card, which serves as a quantitative evaluation of their performance during UAAP basketball games.

“We take the responsibility of providing competent and professional referees to the league very seriously, and it is essential that all officials maintain the highest level of integrity and accuracy,” said basketball commissioner Xavy Nunag in a statement.

“The suspension is intended to give the referees the opportunity to reflect on their actions and to improve their performance,” he added.

The scores:

DLSU (71) – Quiambao 17, M. Phillips 14, Nelle 12, Policarpio 6, Manuel 6, Nonoy 4, Nwankwo 3, Cortez 3, Escandor 2, David 2, B. Phillips 2, Macalalag 0, Abadam 0, Gollena 0.
AdU (58) – Calisay 12, Erolon 10, Manzano 8, Sabandal 7, Ojarikre 5, Montebon 3, Yerro 3, Magbuhos 3, Ramos 3, Colonia 3, Hanapi 1, Anabo 0, Barcelona 0, Canete 0.
Quarterscores: 18-13, 32-33, 61-44, 71-58