The De La Salle University Green Archers in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News. MANILA — De La Salle University fired blanks in over five minutes of fourth-quarter gameplay in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals.

From Joshua David’s game-tying deuce at the 7:13 mark, to Lian Ramiro’s basket to get the Green Archers to within one, 61-60, with only 1:34 left in their all-or-nothing clash against the University of the Philippines, La Salle went 0-of-6 from the field, and also blank in their two attempts from the foul line.

Also during those series of events, La Salle superstar Kevin Quiambao sat on their bench for a good three minutes and 25 seconds, from the 5:13 mark until there was only 1:48 remaining in the game.

This eventually cost them the championship against the University of the Philippines via a 66-62 loss, but was that really the original plan designed by Archers head coach Topex Robinson?

READ: UP reigns over La Salle for UAAP championship glory

“Tiwala naman ako kay Coach Topex ever since day one,” commented KQ when asked about that particular decision by the one-time UAAP titlist. “Medyo nagkaroon lang ng [misunderstanding] nung doon sa inupo ako, kasi akala ko one minute lang, sinabihan ako na isang minuto lang,” he added.

On the other hand, Robinson refused to dwell on the situation, saying that it was the breaks of the game that led to his main man’s extended stay on the sidelines.

The De La Salle University Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson and superstar Kevin Quiambao in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.“Those are the breaks, either way, it could happen. At this point, I cannot change what’s already done,” he said.

For Robinson’s part — sans any intentional foul or efforts to call a timeout — it was only at the 4:45 mark (28 seconds after Quiambao went to the bench), and later with only 3:40 left that dead balls occurred in the aforementioned span.

The second one could have been the point for KQ to return to the floor as he was already at the scorers’ table, but the player that he was supposed to substitute for -- DLSU big man Henry Agunanne -- was on the foul line.

READ: Kevin Quiambao exits La Salle to pursue NBA dream, play in KBL

“I take full responsibility. Yun yung mga bagay na pag inisip mo pa, it’s done and over with,” answered Robinson when asked about the matter, while expressing his desire to just learn from those sequences and decisions.

“I guess the earlier you recover from this experience, the better for us because at the end of the day, I’ll make the decisions and I’ll be responsible for all of the decisions I make. If it falls down and it did well, you give up the credit,” he pointed out.

On the other hand, Quiambao said that he has no problems with what transpired even with the outcome that they are now dealing with.

“Wala namang problema sa akin. Kinapos lang talaga ako,” said Quiambao.