The De La Salle Green Archers are kings of UAAP men’s basketball once again.
This, after De La Salle University emerged victorious over the University of the Philippines in the tournament’s Season 86 Finals Game 3, 73-69, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Season 86 MVP Kevin Quiambao saved his best for last, putting up 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal in the triumph.
After facing a 65-60 deficit midway through the fourth period, La Salle went on a 10-4 run to end the game. UP also went scoreless in over six minutes until the final five seconds of the season.
This is the first men’s basketball title of the Taft Cagers since 2016 when they were led by head coach Aldin Ayo, and former La Salle stars Ben Mbala and Jeron Teng.
Quiambao also broke the so-called ‘MVP curse’ for he is the first player since Mbala to have won both the UAAP title while also getting the plum in the same year.
Meanwhile, present mentor Topex Robinson joins Ayo, Juno Sauler, and four-time champion Franz Pumaren as the only DLSU coaches who have won the league title in their first year of leading the squad.
This is DLSU’s 10th men’s basketball championship.
La Salle also has avoided mirroring their fate during the 2023 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup wherein they were defeated by UP in the championship round despite coming into the contest with an 11-game win streak.
En route to this year’s Finals, DLSU’s nine-game winning streak which dates back from Round 1 was halted by UP in Game 1.
