After the first round of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament, defending champions De La Salle University maintained their top spot with a 6-1 record.
Led by reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao, the Green Archers dominated the University of the Philippines on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
"Our coaching staff told us to believe and have faith that we can beat any team," Quiambao said. "Losing to UE was a wake-up call, and we're determined to improve. Even though we executed our plays well in this game, there's still room for growth."
Despite downplaying their performance against UP, Quiambao is statistically the UAAP's best player this season. He averages 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Quiambao also leads the league in scoring, three-pointers made, and total field goals made.
However, Quiambao prefers to focus on the team's goals for the second half of the season. "Pressure is a privilege," he said. "We need to protect our team's inner circle. Since losing to UE, we've stuck to our system, and I've sacrificed my role as a veteran. It's not always about scoring; I need to involve my teammates."
Meanwhile, UP's JD Cagulangan is the league's second-best player. Despite missing his past two games due to illness, Cagulangan has been a key contributor for the Maroons, averaging 13.4 points, 6.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steal.
Quiambao's teammate Mike Phillips, UE's Precious Momowei, and Far Eastern University's Mo Konateh complete the Top 5 in the men's division.
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