MANILA, Philippines — Defending champ De La Salle University scored a payback win against University of the East, 77-68, to take its fourth straight win in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
Mike Phillips pumped 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks to lead the Green Archers, who avenged their first round loss to the Red Warriors and improved to a league-best 7-1 record.
Reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao and JC Macalalag also came through with 10 points each as La Salle put a stop to UE’s five-game win run.
A 12-2 finishing kick spelled the difference for La Salle which entered the payoff period with a 9-point lead and did just enough down the stretch to hold off UE in the game that logged eight deadlocks and 16 lead changes.
The Red Warriors dropped to 5-3, still in third place of the standings.
