“Disciplined” La Salle defeats Ateneo in preseason game by 37 points

MANILA, Philippines – Not even their rivals could get the best of Ateneo.

UAAP champion La Salle Green Archers easily defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles 98-61, turning a highly anticipated preseason rivalry match into a one-sided defeat in the FilOIl EcoOil Preseason Cup on Sunday, June 2.

With a lead of as many as 48 points, La Salle kept its game under control throughout the game and even applied pressure all over the field in the fourth quarter – a reflection of what head coach Topex Robinson preaches in the Archers' preseason.

“We keep reminding these guys [to] “We don’t look at the score,” said Robinson, who is entering his second year as La Salle’s head coach.

“We know it will be a tough battle when we face Ateneo, so we tried to make sure we are disciplined in what we do,” he added.

Reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao scored 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the Archers to their fourth consecutive win of the season after losing their first game against UP.

“We take each game individually. Our only focus is on the opponent in front of us,” Quiambao said in Filipino.

La Salle was on a roll from the start, outscoring the Blue Eagles 35-15 and 30-15 in the first and second periods, respectively, meaning the team took control of its destiny early on and never looked back.

Playing their third game in three days, the Blue Eagles failed to score, hitting just 26% of their shots from the field (22 of 84). Their shooting percentage from beyond the three-point line (19% (7 of 36)) got even worse.

Meanwhile, the Green Archers sank 36 of 66 field goals, or 54% of their shots, and 14 of 23 three-point goals, or 60% of their shots, in their dominant performance.

“Never underestimate the heart of a champion,” Robinson said of Ateneo, which has a 0-6 record and is the only winless team in the tournament regardless of group.

“There's always going to be a battle on this team. Obviously coach Tab (Baldwin) is just finalizing the pieces he has,” Robinson added.

“The ranking is not a reflection of the quality of the program. We have so much respect for them. We really have to honor them. They are our worthy rivals.”

Earlier, the NU Bulldogs also held the upper hand, defeating the FEU Tamaraws 81-59, before the UP Fighting Maroons closed the elimination round with a flawless 7-0 record after defeating the Adamson Soaring Falcons 68-46.

In the NCAA division, the San Sebastian Golden Stags defeated the EAC Generals 94-86 before the Letran Knights defeated the Mapua Cardinals 96-92.

The results

First game

San Sebastian 94 – Subject: Gabat 27, Escobido 20, Ra. Gabat 14, Felebrico 11, Aguilar 10, Pascual 5, Maliwat 3, Ricio 2, Barroga 2, Chuidian 0, Lintol 0, Ronquillo 0, Reguera 0, Ramilo 0.

EAC 86 – Gurtiza 26, Pagsanjan 15, Quinal 12, Jacob 7, Doromal 5, Bagay 5, Oftana 4, Lucero 3, Umpad 3, Ochavo 2, Loristo 2, Luciano 1, Bacud 1, Postanes 0, Devara 0.

Quarters: 25–23, 51–40, 68–66, 94–86.

Second game

Letran 96 – Dimaano 15, Montecillo 15, Go 14, Jumao-As 13, Manalili 13, Nunag 8, Galoy 8, Baliling 5, Tangkay 5, Alarcon 0, Cuajao 0.

Mapua 92 – Escamis 31, Jabonete 23, Cuenco 10, Mangubat 10, Recto 6, Bancale 5, Concepcion 3, Agemenyi 2, Igliane 2, Fermin 0, Abdulla 0, Pantaleon 0, Fornis 0.

Quarters: 23–22, 47–43, 71–64, 96–92.

Third game

NU 91 — Figueroa 11, Garcia 10, Padrones 10, Manansala 9, Dela Cruz 9, Santiago 9, Yu 7, Perciano 6, Enriquez 5, Tulabut 4, Gulapa 4, Francisco 3, John 2, Lim 2.

FEU 59 – Konateh 16, Pre 15, Felipe 6, Bautista 5, Bagunu 3, Ona 3, Alforque 2, Daa 2, Pasaol 2, Godinez 2, Montemayor 2, Gordon 1, Buenaventura 0, Taboctaboc 0, Beato 0.

Quarters: 23–20, 45–31, 72–46, 91–59.

Fourth game

UP 68 – Alter 12, Lopez 11, Belmonte 10, Ududo 8, Briones 6, Torculas 6, Alarcon 5, Bayla 3, Abadiano 3, Felicilda 2, Cagulangan 2, Rivero 0, Torres 0, Walker 0, Tan 0.

Adamson 46 — Ramos 7, Calisay 6, Mantua 6, Alexander 6, Yerro 6, Anabo 5, Ignacio 5, Fransman 3, Manzano 2, Mudianga 0, Digndice 0.

Quarters: 17-7, 35-23, 56-33, 68-46.

Fifth game

La Salle 98 – Quiambao 31, Abadam 12, Dungo 11, Cortez 9, Austria 9, Policarpio 7, Ramiro 6, Macalalag 5, Agunanne 4, Marasigan 3, Alian 1, Zamora 0, Gaspay 0, Romero 0, Rubico 0.

Ateneo 61 – Lazaro 15, Bahay 12, Gamber 7, Koon 6, Espinosa 6, Amos 5, Ong 4, Porter 2, Reyes 2, Tuano 2, Bongo 0, Quitevis 0, De Luna 0, Nieto 0, Espina 0.

Quarters: 35–15, 65–30, 85–43, 98–61.

– Rappler.com