Phillips dominates as DLSU gets back at UE in UAAP

MANILA – Michael Phillips had a career outing as De La Salle University Green Archers took down University of the East Red Warriors, 77-68, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The one-time Gilas Pilipinas center finished with a career-high of 27 points to go with 17 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and a steal as the Green Archers seized the solo first place with a 7-1 win-loss slate.

Kevin Quiambao struggled with just 10 points to go with six rebounds and two assists, while Jan Macalalag contributed 10 markers for DLSU, which bounced back from their 75-71 first-round loss to UE on September 22.

Down 36-37 at the half, the Green Archers turned things around in the third quarter behind consecutive points from Quiambao and inside conversions from Phillips to establish a 63-54 lead.

The Red Warriors tried to keep the match close at 65-70 in the fourth quarter, but the Green Archers responded with baskets from Phillips, Quiambao, and Vhoris Marasigan to seal the win.

“Players fought well and they know the experience of losing to UE, we just rekindled that and reminded them that it gonna take a lot to beat this well-coached team,” said Green Archers head coach Michael “Topex” Robinson.

Precious Momowei tallied 19 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, while John Abate added 11 markers for the Red Warriors, which saw their five-game winning run snapped to drop to a 5-3 win-loss card.

In the first game, Jorick Bautista hit crucial shots for Far Eastern University Tamaraws (2-6), leading them to a 76-72 overtime victory against Adamson University Falcons (3-7).

The Tamaraws, after squandering an eight-point lead early in the fourth quarter, found themselves down 55-58 before Bautista sank a three-pointer from the top of the key to force overtime.

In the extension period, Bautista and Royce Alforque converted three-point plays to give the Tamaraws an early five-point edge, but consecutive treys by Adamson’s Matthew Montebon cut the deficit to 72-74, but FEU sealed the win on two Bautista free throws.

Bautista finished the game with 21 points, Mohammed Konateh added a double-double of 13 points and 26 rebounds, while rookie Veejay Pre ended with 10 markers for the Tamaraws.