Romwel Anzures

The University of the Philippines (UP) big man Quentin Millora-Brown against De La Salle University’s Henry Agunnane. Photo from UAAP Media.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1733658870854UAAP87 MBB - Quentin Millora-Brown-3470.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The University of the Philippines (UP) big man Quentin Millora-Brown against De La Salle University’s Henry Agunnane. Photo from UAAP Media."/>The University of the Philippines (UP) big man Quentin Millora-Brown against De La Salle University’s Henry Agunnane. Photo from UAAP Media.</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — The University of the Philippines (UP) has opened the UAAP Season 87 men&#x27;s basketball Finals in a victorious manner.The Fighting Maroons survived a first-half flurry from De La Salle University superstar Kevin Quiambao, then came alive in the second half en route to a 73-65 triumph over the Green Archers in their Game 1 battle on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.UP&#x27;s one-and-done ace Quentin Millora-Brown stood tall above everyone else, putting up 17 points — all but four coming in the second half — together with nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. &quot;For me, it&#x27;s just about working hard every day,&quot; said the towering, 6-foot-11 Filipino-American. &quot;I think we had a great game plan going into the game, and obviously, [La Salle] started out really well, and we just had to roll with it. We found a way to get it done at the end of the day, so that&#x27;s really where we&#x27;re at,&quot; he continued. Also delivering the goods was Gerry Abadiano who had nine markers including the dagger trey with only 40.7 seconds left in the game, while JD Cagulangan and Francis Lopez each scored 13 points.State U now has a virtual twice-to-beat advantage over the Green Archers, much like in Season 86 where they also won the series opener.They have also won the first games of the past four Finals series since Season 84 until today, but only came victorious in the first one when they beat Ateneo de Manila University in May 2022.The Fighting Maroons can close the series on Wednesday, December 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay as they hope to finally end their two straight seasons of runner-up finishes — in December 2022 against the Blue Eagles and in 2023 against the Green Archers.However, Millora-Brown understands that the Topex Robinson-mentored team wouldn&#x27;t just give in without a fight in Game 2.&quot;We know that it&#x27;s a tough road,&quot; he emphasized. &quot;We have a lot to do here as we prepare for the second game because La Salle&#x27;s not gonna back down. They&#x27;re gonna come out with more fight next game. We have to step up to that level,&quot; he added.On the other hand, Quiambao was limited to only 19 points -- 18 of which came during his first half onslaught. He also finished with 11 rebounds and a block, but with six turnovers, and was 0-of-6 from the field in the last 20 minutes of play.Mike Phillips ended with a 17-point, 11-rebound game to help put some life back into La Salle especially in the second half, but it all went for naught as Quiambao fired blanks in his attempts to bring the lead down to a single possession.This was when they cut an 11-point, 65-54 deficit to four, 65-61. It was even briefly 65-63, but CJ Austria&#x27;s attempt was officially called as a block after Lopez was initially hit with a goaltending violation with still 2:48 left.A Phillips jumper kept DLSU within striking distance, 67-63, but Abadiano went on to hit a booming triple with only 40.7 ticks remaining for a 70-63 UP lead and eventually the win.<div>THE SCORES: </div>UP 73 – Millora-Brown 17, Lopez 13, Cagulangan 13, Abadiano 9, Torculas 7, Bayla 5, Alarcon 4, Torres 3, Fortea 2, Felicilda 0, Stevens 0, Ududo 0.La Salle 65 – Quiambao 19, M. Phillips 17, Gollena 11, Austria 7, Ramiro 5, David 2, Agunanne 2, Marasigan 2, Macalalag 0, Dungo 0, Gonzales 0, Rubico 0.Quarterscores: 11-18, 37-41, 54-50, 73-65.<div>RELATED VIDEO: </div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zzZu_tHNIH0??si=Pk63lxLgI9gz4BRV&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

The University of the Philippines (UP) has opened the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals in a victorious manner.

The University of the Philippines (UP) has opened the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals in a victorious manner.

UAAP Finals: UP weathers early Quiambao onslaught, stuns La Salle for 1-0 lead

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UAAP Finals: UP weathers early Quiambao onslaught, stuns La Salle for 1-0 lead

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 08, 2024 08:00 PM PHT

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Updated December 09, 2024 12:04 AM PHT

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