ON HALLOWED GROUND
When the Final Four era of the UAAP began, University of Santo Tomas (UST) went out and won the first four championships there—including a sweep of the first season when the semifinals format was instituted in the league.
That wasn’t lost on Topex Robinson.
On a day when his La Salle squad had the chance to pocket a Final Four ticket, Robinson took time out to remind the defending champions the significance of where they were playing.
“[Y]ou’re stepping on sacred ground as far as basketball in the UAAP [is concerned],” Robinson said.
“One of the programs that was so successful was UST and we just want to make sure that we honor those players that played here and did their best,” he added.
Known as Q-Pav
The Archers responded, routing Adamson, 70-45, to become the first team to make the semifinals in Season 87’s men’s basketball tournament at UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The arena, popularly known as Q-Pav, wasn’t the home of the Tigers when they were UAAP powerhouses. That gym that housed the program that has won 18 UAAP titles thus far used to be in the opposite side of the España campus, a six-minute walk from where Robinson’s Archers continued their march toward a second straight UAAP crown.
That didn’t matter for La Salle. What’s half a kilometer when it comes to historic basketball moments?
What mattered is the Archers continued writing their own UAAP history.
“We’re just fortunate to win against Adamson this afternoon,” Robinson said after La Salle extended its winning run to six, the longest active streak in the tournament, and notched its ninth win in 10 games to stay on top of the team standings.
“We just did what we’re supposed to do and make sure we’re gonna keep [limiting the Falcons], especially their guards because we know every time Adamson wins, most of the guards really score,” Robinson said.
As usual, Kevin Quiambao led La Salle with 14 points but filling in the scoring role left by Mike Phillips, who had an uncharacteristic quiet outing, was Joshua David. The gutsy guard did more than enough with 11 points that included three consecutive triples in the second frame that allowed the Archers to take the game over.
“All of us are doing each of our roles so if we are able to do more than our roles, it’s just a bonus,” David said.
Turnovers again
With the offense side of things taken care of, La Salle’s defense went to work, allowing only big man Cedrick Manzano among the Falcons to score in double figures.
“We just respected that threat coming from guys like [Matthew] Montebon, [Manu] Anabo [and Joshua] Yerro. We just really clamped down on making sure they’re not gonna get those easy baskets. We cannot stop them but we’ll always try to make sure that the shots they’re gonna take are gonna be challenged,” Robinson said.
“These young men did what they’re supposed to do and that’s compete with one of the best programs with coach Nash Racela there. We still have a lot of work to do. I just love to see other guys stepping up also not only the regulars,” Robinson added as he utilized all 15 players.
La Salle has more work to do, aside from making sure they get the most comfortable Final Four spot. Adamson again exposed the defending champions’ knack for errors, forcing 21 turnovers on the Archers.
It’s an alarming rate: La Salle, over the last two games, now has thrown the ball away 23.5 times an outing.
“We’re very happy to get the Final Four spot but like what coach said, we still have a lot to improve on and then move on to our next game. We’ll just focus on what we can do, which is one game at a time for us,” Quiambao said.
“Our mindset will be to treat every game as a championship because in our last few games we were kind of forcing things but this game we were able to execute our system,” the program cornerstone added with old-time rival Ateneo next on their calendar.
That game will be played at Mall of Asia, which has had its share of historic basketball moments. And La Salle will want to add a chapter of its own.
