UP O LA SALLE? (UAAP crown pag-aagawan)

Mga laro ngayon:
(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)

WALA nang bukas para sa De La Salle University at University of the Philippines.

Maghaharap ang Green Archers at Fighting Maroons sa deciding Game 3 ng UAAP men’s basketball tournament finals ngayong alas-5 ng hapon sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Nahila ng La Salle ang serye makaraang maungusan ang UP, 76-75, sa harap ng 17,112 fans noong Miyerkoles sa Mall of Asia Arena.

Ang La Salle ay 5-4 all-time sa winner-take-all games.

Si newly-minted two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao ay umiskor o tumulong sa huling walong puntos ng Green Archers habang kumulapso ang Fighting Maroons sa stretch.

Binigyang-diin ni coach Topex Robinson na hindi si Quiambao, naitala ang 14 sa kanyang 22 points sa second half, ang nagdala sa La Salle noong naghahabol sila.

“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,” sabi ni Robinson.

Sa isang major adjustment, si Quiambao ay nagmula sa bench at nakatulong ito sa Green Archers.

Si Quiambao ay nahirapan sa series-opening 65-73 loss, kung saan umiskor lamang siya ng isang puntos sa second half makaraang magbuhos ng 18 sa unang dalawang 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.”

Buhay pa ang La Salle para sa kanilang unang back-to-back title run magmula nang magwagi ng apat na sunod mula 1998 hanggang 2001, si Robinson ay nagpapasalamat na nadala ang kanyang koponan sa isa pang 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,” ani Robinson.