La Salle Green Archers Crush Adamson Falcons to Set UP Rematch in UAAP Season 87 Finals
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — For the second consecutive season, the De La Salle Green Archers and the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons are set to clash in the UAAP men's basketball finals. This matchup was sealed after La Salle delivered a commanding 70-55 victory over the Adamson Soaring Falcons in their Season 87 Final Four showdown.
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| Courtesy From One Sports Video |
The Green Archers’ win solidifies their position as the league’s dominant force, underscored by their impressive performance against Adamson. In their last three encounters, including this semifinal game, La Salle outscored the Falcons by a staggering 55-point margin. With Game 1 of the finals scheduled for December 8 at the Araneta Coliseum, the stage is set for an electrifying rematch between two powerhouse programs.
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La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao, the presumptive back-to-back Most Valuable Player (MVP), showcased why he is the league’s top player. The versatile forward led the team with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and 2 blocks, delivering another well-rounded performance. Not far behind was Mike Phillips, a two-time Mythical Five member, who contributed across the board with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 assists, and 2 blocks in just 17 minutes of play.
Head coach Topex Robinson commended his team’s effort while showing respect for Adamson’s resilience. “It’s nice to be back in the finals, and I guess we also have to acknowledge Adamson losing [AJ] Fransman and [Arthur] Calisay, who are vital parts of their team. They still gave a good fight, and that just shows how good that team is,” Robinson said in the post-game interview.
“These guys [the Archers] did what they’re supposed to do, so it’s nice to be back in the finals,” Robinson added.
The Soaring Falcons initially showed promise in the game’s opening moments. After a slow first quarter where La Salle took a slim lead, Adamson cut the deficit to just 4 points, 20-16, early in the second quarter, thanks to a three-pointer from Manu Anabo. However, the Falcons’ momentum was short-lived as La Salle’s suffocating defense and depth began to take its toll.
Despite missing key players AJ Fransman and Arthur Calisay due to injuries, Adamson tried to stay competitive. Anabo led the Falcons with a solid effort, but the team’s offense struggled to penetrate La Salle’s disciplined defensive schemes. By halftime, La Salle had extended its lead to double digits, and the Falcons never fully recovered.
La Salle’s defensive mastery was on full display, as they forced Adamson into committing turnovers and taking contested shots. Their bench also stepped up, with multiple players contributing to the scoring and defensive efforts. Veteran guard Evan Nelle orchestrated the offense with precision, while Mark Nonoy provided an additional scoring spark off the bench.
The Green Archers’ dominance was evident in their ability to control the boards, disrupt passing lanes, and push the pace in transition. By the third quarter, the game was effectively out of reach for the Falcons, with La Salle extending their lead to as much as 20 points.
The looming finals rematch against UP has fans and analysts buzzing. Last year, the Green Archers narrowly edged out the Fighting Maroons in a thrilling three-game series to claim the championship. With both teams bolstering their rosters in the offseason, the stakes are even higher this time around.
UP, led by reigning Rookie of the Year Jared Buenavista and Mythical Five member Carl Tamayo, has been on a tear this season. Their balanced attack and disciplined defense make them a formidable opponent for La Salle. On the other hand, the Green Archers are eager to defend their title and cement their legacy as one of the league’s greatest dynasties.
Kevin Quiambao vs. Carl Tamayo
The clash between Quiambao and Tamayo is a matchup of two of the league’s brightest stars. Both players are highly skilled big men capable of dominating on both ends of the floor. Their battle in the paint could very well determine the series' outcome.
Coaching Chess Match
UP’s head coach Goldwin Monteverde is known for his meticulous game plans, while Topex Robinson has established himself as a master motivator. The tactical adjustments made by both coaches will be crucial in this high-stakes series.
Depth vs. Depth
Both teams boast deep rosters filled with talented players ready to step up when called upon. The performance of role players could be the X-factor in this finals rematch.
A victory for La Salle would mark their third championship in four years, solidifying their dynasty. For UP, a win would bring their first title since 2018 and signal a new era of dominance.
Tickets for Game 1 are expected to sell out quickly as fans from both sides prepare to pack the Araneta Coliseum. Social media platforms are already abuzz with discussions and predictions, with hashtags like #UAAPFinals and #LaSallevsUP trending nationwide.
As the countdown to December 8 begins, both teams will use the weeklong break to fine-tune their strategies and recover from a grueling season. One thing is certain: the UAAP Season 87 finals promise to deliver yet another chapter of basketball brilliance.
The De La Salle Green Archers delivered an emphatic statement in their UAAP Season 87 Final Four clash, dismantling the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 70-55, to book a return trip to the finals. In a game that showcased La Salle’s depth, defense, and determination, the defending champions sent a clear message: they are ready to defend their title against the UP Fighting Maroons.
First-Half Knockout Punch
The Falcons managed to stay within striking distance early in the game, trailing by just four points, 20-16, early in the second quarter. However, what followed was a display of dominance that effectively ended the contest before halftime. La Salle unleashed a devastating 16-1 run to close the first half, capped by a booming three-pointer from seldom-used forward Alex Konov with 1:20 remaining.
Konov’s triple ignited the Green Archers’ bench and silenced the Adamson faithful in the crowd. By halftime, La Salle had built a commanding 36-17 lead, leaving the Falcons searching for answers.
Third-Quarter Onslaught
Refusing to let up, La Salle continued to pour it on in the third quarter. The Archers’ defense remained airtight, forcing Adamson into tough, contested shots while dominating the boards. Raven Gonzales delivered one of the game’s highlights with a tough, acrobatic finish late in the period, pushing La Salle’s lead to an insurmountable 27 points, 58-31.
Despite the Falcons’ best efforts to mount a rally in the fourth quarter, the deficit proved too large to overcome. Adamson managed an 11-0 run late in the game, led by Royce Mantua’s scoring surge, but it barely made a dent in the final margin.
Kevin Quiambao, La Salle’s presumptive back-to-back MVP, once again led his team with a steady 14 points, supplemented by three rebounds, three steals, two assists, and two blocks. His versatility and poise on both ends of the court have been key to La Salle’s success all season.
Supporting Quiambao was CJ David, who chipped in 11 points, while Mike Phillips continued his all-around contributions with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 assists, and 2 blocks in limited minutes. Alex Konov’s timely three-pointer may not show up prominently in the box score, but it symbolized La Salle’s depth and willingness to rely on every player on their roster.
For Adamson, Royce Mantua led all scorers with 14 points, tying Quiambao for the game high. Cedrick Manzano also put up a valiant effort, tallying 13 points and 9 rebounds in just 21 minutes. However, the Falcons lacked the offensive firepower to contend with La Salle’s relentless pressure.
The Scores
La Salle 70: Quiambao 14, David 11, Phillips 8, Ramiro 7, Marasigan 6, Dungo 5, Gonzales 5, Agunanne 4, Konov 4, Austria 2, Macalalag 0, Gollena 0, Alian 0.
Adamson 55: Mantua 14, Manzano 13, Anabo 6, Yerro 6, Erolon 5, Ramos 3, Dignadice 3, Ojarikre 2, Barasi 2, Montebon 1, Alexander 0, Barcelona 0, Ignacio 0, Ronzone 0.
Quarters: 18-11, 36-17, 59-34, 70-55.
16-1 Second-Quarter Run: La Salle’s decisive spurt highlighted their ability to capitalize on turnovers and convert them into fastbreak points. It was during this stretch that Adamson’s hopes of an upset began to fade.
Konov’s Triple: The seldom-used forward’s three-pointer punctuated the first half, underlining the Archers’ depth and ability to find contributions from unlikely sources.
Gonzales’ Finish: Raven Gonzales’ tough layup in the third quarter epitomized La Salle’s refusal to let Adamson gain any momentum, pushing the lead to its largest margin at 27 points.
The victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated finals rematch with the UP Fighting Maroons, who earlier dispatched their semifinal opponents to clinch the other finals berth. Last year, La Salle narrowly edged UP in a thrilling three-game series to claim the championship, and both teams have only grown stronger since then.
Anticipation for the Finals
The Green Archers will enter the finals with the momentum of an undefeated playoff run and a roster firing on all cylinders. Head coach Topex Robinson praised his team’s effort but acknowledged the challenge ahead. “We’re happy with this win, but UP is a great team, and we need to be at our best to defend our title,” Robinson said.
On the other hand, UP, led by their dynamic duo of Carl Tamayo and Jared Buenavista, is eager to avenge last year’s heartbreak and bring home the championship.
La Salle’s 70-55 victory over Adamson was a testament to their dominance in UAAP Season 87. With the finals just days away, the Archers look poised to etch their names in league history as back-to-back champions. The rematch with UP promises to be a battle for the ages, one that fans won’t want to miss - majaits.com
UAAP Season 86: DLSU battles against UP mens Basketball
De La Salle University battles against the University of the Philippines to take game 2 of UAAP Season 86 men's basketball finals to extend the series
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is composed of eight member universities. These are:
1. University of the Philippines (UP)
2. Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU)
3. De La Salle University (DLSU)
4. Far Eastern University (FEU)
5. National University (NU)
6. University of Santo Tomas (UST)
7. University of the East (UE)
8. Adamson University (AdU)
2. Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU)
3. De La Salle University (DLSU)
4. Far Eastern University (FEU)
5. National University (NU)
6. University of Santo Tomas (UST)
7. University of the East (UE)
8. Adamson University (AdU)
Each of these universities has its own unique strengths and they all contribute to the exciting competitions in the UAAP. Do you have a favorite among these schools? 🏀
De La Salle University battles against the University of the Philippines to take game 2 of UAAP Season 86 men's basketball finals to extend the series.
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) features a wide range of sports. Some of the most popular ones include:
1. Basketball: This is probably the most followed sport in the UAAP. The men's basketball tournament, in particular, draws a lot of attention.
2. Volleyball: Both men's and women's volleyball games are quite popular. The matches are often intense and exciting.
3. Football: The UAAP football tournament is also a big event. It's a great showcase of the football talent in the country.
4. Track and Field: This sport has a long history in the UAAP and continues to be a major event.
5. Baseball and Softball: These are also part of the UAAP sports lineup and have their own dedicated fan base.
6. Badminton, Chess, Fencing, Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, and Tennis: These sports may not be as widely followed as the others, but they're still an important part of the UAAP.
It's really a diverse mix, isn't it? Which sport do you enjoy watching the most? 🏀🏐⚽