UP beats La Salle, moves a win away from UAAP title

University of the Philippines drew first blood against De La Salle University, 73-65, in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball best-of-three finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After trailing 41-37 at the end of the first half, the Fighting Maroons mounted a comeback in the second half and outscored the Green Archers in the third quarter, 17-9, to end the third period with a 54-50 lead.

Quentin Millora-Brown proved to be crucial in the early minutes of the fourth period as he completed two three-point plays, with Aldous Torculas making a triple in between to give UP its biggest lead, 63-52.

Mike Phillips led La Salle's comeback attempt as he pushed the green-and-white squad to within four, 65-61. An initial goaltending attempt gave La Salle a glimmer of hope as it almost put the Green Archers within two. However, after a review, the score was retracted as UP made sure to bank on its momentum to close out the game.

As Phillips put La Salle within four, 67-63, Gerry Abadiano drilled one from beyond the arc to give UP a seven-point lead. Phillips still tried to salvage the game anew but free throws from Harold Alarcon and JD Cagulangan sealed the win for the Fighting Maroons.

"We know naman that every game we play against La Salle, defense is really key to winning the game. I felt that nung second half, we had more intensity defensively [and] we communicated better," said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.

"For me, it was a total team effort. Offensively, we moved the ball much better nung second quarter and good thing we sustained it to the second half."

QMB registered a career-high 17 points and nine rebounds, along with three assists, two steals, and a block, while Cagulangan and Francis Lopez had 13 points apiece as UP snapped its four-game losing skid against La Salle since last year's finals.

Quiambao had 18 points in the first half but was contained to make just a single point — a technical free throw — in the second half. Phillips had 17 points, while EJ Gollena, who had 11 points in the first half, also remained scoreless until the final buzzer.

Game 2 of the finals will be on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Scores:

UP 73 – Millora-Brown 17, Cagulangan 13, Lopez 13, Abadiano 9, Torculas 7, Bayla 5, Alarcon 4, Torres 3, Fortea 2, Stevens 0, Felicilda 0, Ududo 0.

DLSU 65 – Quiambao 19, Phillips 17, Gollena 11, Austria 7, Ramiro 5, David 2, Agunnane 2, Marasigan 2, Dungo 0, Macalalag 0, Gonzales 0, Rubico 0.

Quarters: 11-18, 37-41, 50-54, 73-65.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News