DLSU returns to UAAP men’s hoops Final Four after outlasting Adamson

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers are back in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament Final Four stage after taking down the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 69-57, last November 8, 2023, held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

After a heartbreaking Season 85 campaign where they failed to enter the playoffs under the tutelage of Derrick Pumaren, new head coach Topex Robinson was true to his promise the moment he accepted the mentoring job for the Green Archers.

To get back to the Final Four.

The Green Archers were in a must-win situation against the Soaring Falcons to make this happen, and they responded to the challenge to book a ticket to the Final Four.

DLSU was just in control of the game from the get-go and picked up where they left off when they kicked off the UAAP second-round without a single loss.

Adamson tried their best to keep up with DLSU’s high-octane offense but began to lose gas when the final quarter began.

From a slim 54-50 advantage heading into the fourth, the Green Archers flipped the switch and displayed their firepower, extending their lead to 12 points.

Leading Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate Kevin Quiambao once again led the charge for the Green Archers and stuffed the stat sheets with 11 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block.

Meanwhile, veteran athletic center Michael Phillips finished with eight points and 11 rebounds while floor general Joshua David chipped in eight points and seven rebounds.

On the other hand, Jerom Lastimosa’s absence continued to hunt the Soaring Falcons after he was diagnosed with a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his knee.

Without their superstar, the Soaring Falcons are now on their third straight game where they struggled offensively.