MANILA – De La Salle University Green Archers overcame a slow start to defeat University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 82-60, in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Francis Escandor hoisted four three-pointers to finish with 14 points to go with one rebound, one assist, and one block as the Green Archers tied the best-of-three title series at 1-1.
Joshua David chipped in 12 markers, built on four three-point connections, while Cyrus Austria ended with 11 markers and five rebounds for the Green Archers.
Down 2-12 early in the first quarter, the Green Archers slowly clawed its way back behind Negrense Mark Nonoy and David as they cut the deficit to 24-27.
The Green Archers were able to tie the score at 29-all early in the second period before they pulled away courtesy of back-to-back three-pointers from Escandor for a 44-38 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, it was the turn of David to wax hot from the outside as he connected two triples coupled with inside hits from Kevin Quiambao and Michael Phillips to establish a 65-49 advantage.
The Fighting Maroons continued their offensive struggle in the fourth quarter, which the Green Archers took advantage to broke the game wide open as the lead reached as high as 22 points.
“When UP went on a 12-2 start, we kinda buckled down on our defense, we made some stop and we weathered the storm,” said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson.
Maodo Malick Diouf had a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Crispin John Cansino and Negrense Harold Alarcon ended with 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Fighting Maroons.
The do-or-die Game 3 between the Green Archers and the Fighting Maroons is slated at six in the evening on Wednesday at the same venue./PN
BOX SCORE:
DLSU 82 — Escandor 14, David 12, Austria 11, M. Phillips 9, Quiambao 9, Nonoy 8, Macalalag 7, Cortez 6, Nelle 4, B. Phillips 2, Manuel 0, Abadam 0, Policarpio 0.
UP 60 — Cansino 11, Diouf 11, Alarcon 10, Lopez 9, Cagulangan 6, Felicilda 6, Torculas 4, Abadiano 3, Belmonte 0, Pablo 0, Torres 0, Alter 0, Gonzales 0, Briones 0.
Quarterscores: 24-27, 44-38, 65-49, 82-60.
