Green Archers power through UP to conclude first round of UAAP S87
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers (6–1) concluded the first round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 on a high note after securing a victory over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons (6–1) with a final score of 69–56, earlier today at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
In the opening minutes of the match, the Archers easily took possession, with Joshua David sinking a three-pointer to ignite the team’s momentum, which was quickly followed by a jumper from UP’s Quentin Millora-Brown. At the 7:03 mark, Kevin Quiambao scored and drew a foul, turning it into a three-point play and extending their advantage to 6–4. Both teams displayed strong defense and offensive skills, but the Maroons gave away fouls, allowing the Taft-based squad to maintain at least a five-point lead early on, 12–7. With 3:30 remaining in the quarter, Quiambao delivered a crucial block on Gani Stevens’ shot, igniting the Archers’ confidence as they finished the quarter with a six-point lead, 19–13.
As the second quarter began, Vhoris Marasigan set the tone for the Archers with a three-point play after drawing a foul against UP, pushing the score to 22–13. JC Macalalag followed up with a shot off the board, extending La Salle’s momentum at the 8:10 mark and making it 26–13. With the Green Archers riding their momentum, the Fighting Maroons struggled offensively, further allowing La Salle to build a 17-point lead with 4:31 remaining. To add more fuel to the fire, Lian Ramiro nailed his first three-pointer of the game, and Earl Abadam joined in with one of his own just before halftime, bringing the score to 38–21. Despite Harold Alarcon giving the Maroons a slight boost with a long jumper in the final 50 seconds, the Archers remained on top to end the second quarter at 38–25.
Coming out of halftime, the Archers asserted their dominance by gaining possession, before Alarcon quickly responded with a simple tip-in, cutting the lead to 38–26. Henry Agunanne kept the momentum going for the Taft squad with a powerful dunk, allowing them to maintain a comfortable 11-point lead. With La Salle already racking up three team fouls by the seven-minute mark, Michael Phillips was fouled but confidently converted both free throws to maintain their lead. Despite Alarcon later tying the game at 42-all, Ramiro maintained La Salle’s momentum after deftly slicing through the UP defense to restore a two-point advantage with 1:58 left on the clock. King Archer Quiambao then hit a critical three-pointer in the last few seconds, allowing La Salle to finish the quarter ahead, 51–46.
Eager to seal the win, EJ Gollena opened the final quarter with an easy jumper, which was followed through by a three-pointer from Macalalag to preserve the Archers’ momentum. With 6:30 remaining, La Salle continued their barrage of threes, as Joshua David knocked one down, extending the lead to 59–51. At the 3:27 mark, Kevin Quiambao added another three-pointer, widening the gap to 12 points, 65–53. And in the final two minutes, all the momentum stayed with the Green Archers, and David capped it off with yet another three-pointer, securing a commanding 69–56 victory for La Salle.
Cheer on the DLSU Green Archers as they enter Round 2 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87.
Quarter scores: 19–13, 38–25, 51–36, 69–56
Box scores:
DLSU (68) — Quiambao 20, David 14, Macalalag 7, Ramiro 5, Abadam 5, Marasigan 5, Phillips 4, Gollena 4, Austria 2, Agunanne 2, Gonzales 0
UP (56) — Alarcon 19, Millora-Brown 10, Lopez 8, Torres 6, Belmonte 5, Fortea 5, Abadiano 2. Bayla 1, Stevens 0, Felicilda 0, Torculas 0, Ududo 0
