MANILA, Philippines – Can the UP Fighting Maroons finally get over the hump?
Up 1-0 against La Salle, the Fighting Maroons seek to get the job done and close out the Green Archers for the crown in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, December 11.
For the fourth season in a row, UP drew first blood in the finals following a 73-65 win over La Salle in their Game 1 showdown last Sunday, December 8, to move on the cusp of the title.
History, however, is not on the side of the Fighting Maroons as they have lost all their Game 2 finals encounters in the last four seasons.
As UP looks to get back on top and reclaim the title it last won in Season 84, count on Mythical Team member JD Cagulangan and one-and-done big man Quentin Millora-Brown to leave it all on the floor for the Fighting Maroons in what could be their final game in the UAAP.
Cagulangan, Millora-Brown, as well as sophomore swingman Francis Lopez, joined forces to propel the Fighting Maroons to the hard-fought victory in Game 1.
Millora-Brown posted a career-high 17 points along with 9 rebounds, Cagulangan scattered 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Lopez rose to the occasion with 13 markers, 6 boards, and 4 blocks.
Look for those three players to show the way for the Fighting Maroons anew as they brace for a massive La Salle fightback and a huge bounce-back performance from Green Archers superstar Kevin Quiambao.
After exploding for 18 points in the first half of Game 1, Quiambao was nowhere to be found in the final two quarters as he was held to only a single point the rest of the way by UP’s stifling defense.
But with the 6-foot-7 forward set to be crowned MVP for the second straight season minutes before this Game 2 clash, expect a much more motivated Quiambao as he tries to lead La Salle to a winner-take-all Game 3.
Quiambao, though, will once again need the help of his frontcourt partner and fellow Mythical Team member Mike Phillips, whose all-around showing of 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists went for naught in Game 1.
The Green Archers will also need their top point guard Joshua David to step up to the plate after being limited to just 2 points on 1-of-5 shooting in the series opener.
Game time is 5:30 pm. – Rappler.com