MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion and Final Four-bound La Salle enhanced its twice-to-beat bid while University of the East shored up its own semifinals drive in UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Archers, the first semifinalist, ran away with a 80-65 win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles for a league-best 10-1 slate as the Warriors solidified hold of third spot at 6-3 after taming the National U Bulldogs, 74-58.
Reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao fired a career-best 33 points and 13 rebounds to show the way in La Salle’s seventh straight win since absorbing lone defeat to UE in the first round.
Joshua David and EJ Gollena chipped in nine points each for the wards of coach Topex Robinson in completing a season sweep of their arch rivals after a 74-61 win in their first meeting this season.
Earlier, the Warriors – banking on a two-week break since their five-game run was snapped by La Salle – came out with guns ablaze to climb to 6-3 and retain a safe place inside the magic four with five games to play.
At steady third place behind La Salle (10-1) and UP (7-1), UE’s win kept a comfortable separation from the crowded middle pack featuring Santo Tomas (4-6), Far Eastern U (3-6) and Adamson (3-6) in a heated scramble for the coveted fourth spot.
Ateneo slid to 3-7 at No. 7 as NU fell deeper down the cellar at 2-8.