Green Archers seal first win against UST in FilOil Preseason Tournament
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers emerged victorious, 68–57, against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, for their first triumph in the 17th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup earlier today at the FilOil EcoOil Center.
With Mike Phillips and EJ Gollena out of the lineup, Kevin Quiambao seized the opportunity to shine, recovering from his previous game’s setback by sinking a crucial three-pointer and helping establish a quick 20–12 lead. Despite UST’s offense not posing a significant threat to La Salle, Forthsky Padrigao and Nick Cabañero kept the Growling Tigers in contention with their scoring efforts. Although the Tigers struggled with multiple missed three-point attempts, La Salle maintained their dominance through the orchestrations of Earl Abadam, Jonnel Policarpio, and Quiambao before CJ Austria capped off the first quarter with a straightforward layup to secure a 23–16 lead for the Green Archers.
Coming into the second quarter, Policarpio’s three-pointer in the 9th minute ignited La Salle’s momentum, pushing them to dominate the game with a 25–18 lead. Austria then followed with another three-pointer at 8:37, further confusing the Tigers’ defense and strengthening La Salle’s offensive attacks. At 7:15, Padrigao hit a three-pointer, followed by Christian Manaytay driving through Raven Cortez and drawing a foul to bring the score at 29–25. Despite the Tigers’ blocks and plays, Quiambao attempted to elevate his team’s performance to match UST’s pace. However, Cabañero’s easy layup against Quiambao narrowed the deficit to one with six minutes remaining. Cabañero continued his determined play against Henry Agunanne, helping his team stay within three points with 4:43 left on the clock, 33–30. He then sank another three-pointer to tie the game at 33-all, yet the Green Archers maintained their composure, spearheaded by Policarpio and Quiambao, as La Salle ended the second quarter ahead, 41–35.
As the Tigers fought with layups and easy tip-ins, they also sank multiple three-pointers, which were crucial in handing them the lead early in the third quarter, 41–42. On La Salle’s side, Cortez stepped up with an effortless layup, reducing the deficit to just one point with six minutes remaining. Meanwhile, Padrigao, assisted by Cabañero, nailed another three-pointer to put the Tigers ahead. In the third minute, Agunanne delivered a dunk, aiming to shift the momentum back to the Archers, making it 45–47 before Macalalag then banked in a shot to tie the game at 47 with 2:30 left. Amidst the fierce contest for possession and points, Angelo Crisostomo drew a foul against Policarpio, pushing the Tigers ahead to end the quarter at 47–50.
Straight into the final quarter, Macalalag started the action with a three-pointer, tying the game at 50-all with 9:20 on the clock, while Policarpio responded with another three-pointer, disrupting their defense and pushing La Salle ahead, 53–50. Kyle Paranada hit a three to cut the deficit to one, but Cortez answered back to restore the three-point lead. Despite UST’s three-pointers, Policarpio’s quick response against Cabañero extended the Archers’ lead to three points with 6:36 left, making it 60–57. Vhoris Marasigan added more points, and Agunanne’s block against Cabañero helped the Archers secure an 11-point lead with three minutes remaining, 68–57. In the final two minutes, Quiambao slowed down the pace, but still enough to maintain their eight-point advantage and seal the game with a 68–61 victory, marking it their first win in the 17th FilOil Preseason Cup.
The Green Archers aim to extend their winning streak as they face the FEU Tamaraws on Saturday, May 18 at 5 PM, at the same venue.
Quarter Scores: 23–16, 41–35, 47–50, 68–61
