MANILA, Philippines – Looking to move another step closer to defending its title, league-leading La Salle shoots for an easy trip to the finals when it battles fourth-placed Adamson in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, November 30.
Armed with a twice-to-beat bonus, La Salle hopes to finish off Adamson in just one game as it tries to reassert its mastery over the Soaring Falcons.
Led by back-to-back UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, the Green Archers proved too much for the Soaring Falcons in their elimination-round matchups, winning by an average margin of 25.5 points.
La Salle cruised to an 82-52 mauling of Adamson in their first-round duel last September 11, followed by a 70-45 drubbing in their second-round encounter last October 19.
Quiambao led the Green Archers in scoring in both games, putting up 21 and 17 points, respectively.
Still, La Salle shouldn’t take Adamson lightly despite having its number all season long as the Soaring Falcons are on a furious two-game winning streak, capped by a 68-55 win over the UE Red Warriors just two days ago to secure the fourth and last Final Four spot.
Fresh off a stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, watch out for an extra motivated Quiambao as he also aims to bounce back from his lackluster showing in the Green Archers’ last game of the elimination round last November 13, where he shot just 3-of-17 from the field in a shocking 63-54 loss to the NU Bulldogs.
Aside from Quiambao, look for Mythical Team member Mike Phillips to impose his will inside the paint against a thinner Adamson frontline.
Phillips averaged a double-double of 12 points and 11.5 rebounds in the elimination round for 74.928 statistical points, finishing just second behind his teammate Quiambao in the MVP race.
On the other side, a total team effort is needed from the Soaring Falcons if they wish to pull off a massive upset and drag the Green Archers to a do-or-die.
It was big man Cedrick Manzano who answered the call for the Soaring Falcons in their playoff for fourth versus UE, racking up a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Game time is 6:30 pm. – Rappler.com