Kevin Quiambao reacts after a crucial play in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals against UP Fighting Maroons. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
There were only two ways Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament title series could have ended for La Salle coach Topex Robinson.
“It’s every coach’s dream or nightmare,” he said.
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No middle ground. No gray area.
And until late in the fourth quarter, the Archers looked like a team eager to wake up from a bad dream. Until Kevin Quiambao took over.
Trailing by five points, the La Salle program cornerstone sank two clutch three-pointers in front of the best defense University of the Philippines (UP) could offer to spearhead a series-tying 76-75 victory late on Wednesday evening.
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UP’s one-and-done big man Quentin Millora-Brown swapped lead-taking baskets with La Salle’s high-motor forward Mike Phillips and somewhere along the way, Francis Lopez missed four big free throws and turned the ball over at the most crucial time to doom the Maroons.
Still, the Archers needed to hold their breath: Skipper Gerry Abadiano had a good look at a three-pointer and could have ended the series dramatically, like how JD Cagulangan gave UP its first championship in 36 years back in Season 84.
“That last shot by Gerry could have [gone] in and just finished everything for us, those threes by Maimai (Cagulangan’s nickname), I was there when he took that three back in Season 84. It’s just going through my head,” Robinson added.
Repeat history
Eventually, Game 2 turned out to be a dream for the defending champions, allowing them to force Game 3 after UP took the series opener, 73-65.
“I guess the worry about getting swept, it’s always gonna be there, and I am just so glad that we pulled through this game,” Robinson said. “For us, this Game 3 will be just another experience, another experience for me as a coach, another experience especially for our young guys.”
The first of that experience can be traced back to last season, where Quiambao and Robinson’s first trip to the Finals was successful—and this series has the same notes of that previous campaign, down to how the two-time MVP also started off the bench in the second game.
Now, La Salle will try to repeat history come the no-tomorrow Game 3 on Sunday.
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“I am sure it’s just gonna be all out again. Whoever wants it more will come out as champions, so we’re just happy that we’re given this extra game, and for sure we’re gonna work everything just to compete and given the chance and whatever happens we’re just gonna keep on competing,” Robinson said.
