A nail-biting showdown unfolded at the Mall of Asia Arena last night, as the De La Salle University (DLSU) went head-to-head with the University of the Philippines (UP) in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Men's Basketball Finals.
In a dramatic 76-75 finish, back-to-back MVP Kevin Quiambao led the DLSU Green Archers to victory, setting the stage for a crucial Game 3 this Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Quiambao posted a dominant all-around display, tallying 22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal, driving the Green Archers to a crucial win.
Mike Phillips made his presence felt, contributing 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals in the hard-fought victory.
As the game grew more intense, the Fighting Maroons held a 71-63 lead with 5 minutes remaining.
Quiambao then fired off two crucial three-pointers, cutting the margin to a single point, 74-73, with only 1 minute remaining.
With a chance to swing the game back in UP's favor, Francis Lopez missed four crucial free throws, stalling the Fighting Maroons' efforts.
As the clock ticked down to 19 seconds, Phillips missed two key free throws, giving Lopez the opportunity to grab the rebound.
An errant pass to JD Cagulangan handed possession back to the Green Archers.
Meanwhile, UP's top performer, Cagulangan, recorded 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Lopez matched his scoring output with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
