Phillips takes charge as Archers thwart Tams

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion La Salle turned to Mike Phillips in lieu of the struggling MVP Kevin Quiambao as the Archers fended off the Far Eastern U Tamaraws, 58-53, and stay on course to securing the No. 1 seed in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Phillips poured 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter highlighted by a personal 8-0 run in crunch time as the Final Four-bound and twice-to-beat assured Archers clawed back from 12 points down in the first half for their eighth straight win and 11-1 overall.

The bruising anchor added 15 rebounds, two assists, five steals and two blocks in an all-around brilliance, taking the cudgels as Quiambao bled for only eight points on a dismal 2-of-17 clip.

Quiambao hauled down 13 rebounds though along with an assist and a steal as rookie Doy Dungo chipped in eight points to provide coverage for Phillips in La Salle’s gutsy win creating enough separation from rival and fellow semifinalist University of the Philippines (9-2) for the pole position.

“We have to give it to FEU. Coach Sean Chambers is doing a great job with the young FEU team. We had to grind it out in the end game. We stepped up in the last few minutes and we’re able to do it,” said coach Topex Robinson.

La Salle, back in the first round, needed everything it could handle to hack out a 68-62 win, and this one was no different.

Later, National U staved off elimination (4-8) once again with a 67-62 comeback win from 13 points down over Santo Tomas (5-7).

Ian Jolo Manansala (18), PJ Palacielo (15) and Jake Figueroa (13) conspired as the Bulldogs rode the momentum of a massive 67-47 upset of UP last week for their second straight win that pushed them to a tie the Tams, just behind idle Adamson (4-7).