MANILA, Philippines—La Salle used a dominant third quarter to zoom past Adamson, 71-58, in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
After a tough first half, the Green Archers trailed by one, 33-32, but coach Topex Robinson’s wards went firing on all cylinders in the penultimate period.
“In the first half, we played complacent basketball so it’s a good thing in the second half because we adjusted and enjoyed,” said Kevin Quiambao, who finished with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds.
“We lost the joy in playing in that first half so coach (Topex) reminded us to enjoy and just play our game so we’re really happy with this game because we coped up in the second.”
La Salle, which improved to 3-1, went on a crippling 24-5 run in the third quarter to take a pivotal 58-38 lead.
Joem Sabandal, who finished with just seven points, ended the run with a transition bucket from beyond the arc but the Soaring Falcons were still unable to mount some sort of a comeback.
La Salle outscored Adamson in the third frame, 29-11.
Evan Nelle helped La Salle’s cause with a double-double of his own with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Michael Phillips, meanwhile, was a rebound shy of a double-double with 14 markers and nine boards.
The Soaring Falcons dropped to 2-2 for the season with Jhon Arthur Calisay scoring 12. Matt Erolon also had 10 points but it was all for naught.
WATCH: La Salle’s Michael Phillips, coach Topex Robinson and Kevin Quiambao after win against Adamson. #UAAPSeason86 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/uz8WnDuEdy
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) October 11, 2023