The UE Red Warriors did it again. In a game that delivered more frustration than satisfaction for the La Salle faithful, UE capitalized on early momentum and held off a furious Green Archers rally to secure a 71-75 victory at the Mall of Asia Arena. For La Salle, this loss stings even more knowing they had a chance to steal it late but couldn’t close the deal.
UE Sets the Tone Early, La Salle Struggles to Respond
The game opened with a stark contrast in intensity. UE came out firing, building a commanding 11-28 lead in the first quarter, while La Salle looked flat, as if they hadn’t yet woken up. The Red Warriors were sharp on both ends—shooting efficiently while throwing La Salle’s offensive rhythm completely off balance.
La Salle’s response was methodical, but not urgent enough. A 13-2 run in the second quarter, anchored by Kevin Quiambao, chipped away at the lead, but turnovers and poor shot selection haunted the Archers. They clawed their way back into the game, trailing just 38-42 at halftime, but it felt like the Green Archers were always playing catch-up, never quite in control.
The Final Push—and the Heartbreak
With the clock winding down in the fourth quarter and La Salle trailing by nine, the game appeared all but lost. But the Archers found one final gear. Led by Quiambao’s scoring and a 7-0 surge, La Salle suddenly cut the lead to 71-73 with just 28 seconds left. The comeback was on. Quiambao, who had been clutch all game, sank a critical jumper to put La Salle within striking distance, and when a jump ball gave the Archers possession with 17.3 seconds left, it felt like we were watching another La Salle miracle unfold.
But basketball is unforgiving. Quiambao missed two crucial free throws. Two shots that could have completed the rally and perhaps shifted the game in La Salle’s favor. Instead, the misses allowed UE to escape, hitting their own free throws and sealing a victory that left the Green Archers wondering what might have been.
What Went Wrong?
It wasn’t just those late free throws. La Salle’s perimeter game, usually a weapon, was nowhere to be found. The Green Archers entered the game as the league leaders in perimeter scoring, averaging 30.5 points from outside the arc. Against UE, they managed just 10 points from deep, shooting a dreadful 2 of 16 from three-point range. Kevin Quiambao may have led the Archers with 17 points, but he was just 1 of 8 from beyond the arc, emblematic of the team’s broader struggles.
Turnovers and missed opportunities also hurt La Salle’s chances. 19 turnovers and going 19-of-35 from the free throws are the kind of numbers teams pay for. And in a game as tight as this one, La Salle simply made too many of them.
UE’s Defensive Masterclass
Credit has to be given to UE for executing their game plan to perfection. They didn’t just win—they neutralized La Salle’s biggest strengths, their perimeter game. By locking down the perimeter and forcing the Archers into uncomfortable situations, UE’s defense was able to mercilessly limit the Taft snipers to only 11 points to dictate the game, keeping La Salle from ever finding a real offensive rhythm. This was a different universe from the league-leading 30.4 perimeter points La Salle had in the first three games.
What Comes Next for La Salle?
There’s no time to dwell on the loss. La Salle will face FEU on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum, and the Archers must recalibrate quickly.
The formula is clear: rediscover the perimeter game, cut down on the unforced errors, and play with urgency from the opening tip. The potential for a deep run in this season is still there, but the team must show it can perform under pressure.
This was a loss that hurts. But La Salle has never been a program defined by defeat. They’ll need to find their response—quickly.
Animo La Salle!
