Push Admin

La Salle outlasts UP to become Season 86 champions

Article (news)

Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt=" ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/sports/12/06/uaap-dlsu-up-md-25.jpg"/><figcaption>The De La Salle Green Archers celebrate after winning the UAAP Season 86 championship at the Araneta Coliseum on December 6, 2023. <em>Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED) </strong>— The De La Salle Green Archers are kings of UAAP men’s basketball once again.</p><p>This, after De La Salle University emerged victorious over the University of the Philippines in Game 3 of the Season 86 Finals, 73-69, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday.</p><p>Season 86 MVP Kevin Quiambao saved his best for last, putting up 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in the triumph. </p><p>&quot;Mindset lang na leave it all on the court dahil wala na ngang bukas, Game 3 na ito,win or go home na. Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na kahit maraming nag-doubt sa amin nung first round,” said Quiambao.</p><p>“Ito na kami, champion!&quot;</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2894465" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><p>The 6-foot-7 superstar also was hailed as the Finals MVP after putting up averages of 14.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.0 blocks in three games.</p><p>Evan Nelle was instrumental in the dub after he tallied 12 markers, seven dimes, and six boards, while Jonnel Policarpio and Mark Nonoy finished with eight each.</p><p>Facing a five-point deficit midway through the fourth period, La Salle banked on Quiambao as he drained a trey to cut UP’s lead to a single possession, 65-63.</p><p>Diouf answered with a hook shot to re-establish a two-possession advantage, but that would be State U’s last basket in the next six minutes.</p><p>Nelle hit a three-pointer to get as close as one, and Quiambao hit a tough jumper to finally overtake UP, 68-67, with still 4:46 remaining.</p><p>Plays after, the Fighting Maroons saw themselves down only by two, 71-69, but they failed to take advantage of their last chance to win as Reyland Torres’ attempt did not touch the rim.</p><p>Quiambao then iced the game with two free throws, in turn, allowing the Green Archers to clinch their 10th men’s basketball championship.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Graduating UP players CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf after their loss to La Salle in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 Finals at the Araneta Coliseum on December 6, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/sports/12/06/uaap-dlsu-up-md-26.jpg"/><figcaption>Graduating UP players CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf after their loss to La Salle in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 Finals at the Araneta Coliseum on December 6, 2023. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Spearheading UP’s fight was Malick Diouf who ended his UAAP career with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and a pair of assists and steals, while Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez had 12 markers, nine boards, four steals, and three dimes.</p><p>Harold Alarcon got 10 points, and graduating team captain CJ Cansino had a silent five-point, two-rebound game. </p><p>This is the first men’s basketball title of the Taft Cagers since 2016 when they were led by head coach Aldin Ayo, and former La Salle stars Ben Mbala and Jeron Teng.</p><p>Quiambao also broke the so-called ‘MVP curse’ for he is the first player since Mbala to have won both the UAAP title while also getting the plum in the same year.</p><p>Meanwhile, present mentor Topex Robinson joins Ayo, Juno Sauler, and four-time champion Franz Pumaren as the only DLSU coaches who have won the league title in their first year of leading the squad.</p><p>La Salle also has avoided mirroring their fate during the 2023 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup wherein they were defeated by UP in the championship round despite coming into the contest with an 11-game win streak.</p><p>En route to this year’s Finals, DLSU’s nine-game winning streak which dates back from Round 1 was halted by UP in Game 1.</p><div><br/><strong>The Scores:</strong></div><p><strong>DLSU 73 –</strong> Quiambao 24, Nelle 12, Policarpio 8, Nonoy 8, M. Phillips 5, Macalalag 5, Escandor 4, Austria 3, David 3, Cortez 1, Manuel 0, Nwankwo 0, B. Phillips 0, Abadam 0.</p><p><strong>UP 69 –</strong> Diouf 21, Lopez 12, Alarcon 10, Cagulangan 8, Felicilda 5, Cansino 5, Torculas 4, Abadiano 2, Torres 2, Fortea 0, Pablo 0.</p><p><strong>Quarterscores: </strong>22-21, 39-43, 55-58, 73-69</p><div><br/><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2894490" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><div> </div>

La Salle outlasts UP to become Season 86 champions

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

La Salle outlasts UP to become Season 86 champions

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 06, 2023 08:38 PM PHT

|

Updated December 06, 2023 11:54 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

UAAP

UAAP Season 86

UAAP Finals

UAAP Basketball

University of the Philippines

UP Fighting Maroons

UP

De La Salle University

DLSU

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.