Quentin Millora-Brown rises for a slam in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals between La Salle Green Archers and UP Fighting Maroons. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

University of the Philippines is just a win away from reclaiming the UAAP men’s basketball championship after a 73-65 victory over La Salle in Game 1 of the Season 87 Finals on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Quentin Millora-Brown made his presence felt with 17 points and nine rebounds and JD Cagulangan helped with 13 points for the fighting Maroons to gain the crucial series-opening win.

RESULTS: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals Game 1 – La Salle vs UP

“I’m thankful to my teammates for responding well, whether it’s in our offensive or defensive schemes,” said Cagulangan. “After this game, we’ll go back, train again, and review our lapses, whether on offense or defense. Yeah, it’s still all about practice for us.”

“It’s just about working hard every day. I think we had a great game plan going into the game, and obviously, they 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’s really where we’re at. We just have to find a way,” Millora-Brown said.

Francis Lopez and Quentin Millora-Brown celebrate a play in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals between La Salle Green Archers and UP Fighting Maroons. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The Green Archer had some momentum going with a slight edge at halftime, 41-37, as La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao turned up the heat midway the second quarter by scoring eight straight points with two triples and a step back jumper

The two-time MVP was already on the verge of a double-double after the first two quarters while EJ Gollena also had 11 points already to allow the Archers to pad up some cushion.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals

But UP quickly turned things around with its suffocating defense that limited La Salle to just nine points in the third frame with Quiambao only scoring just a point in the second half while Gollena no longer scored.

Millora-Brown, the Maroons’ one-and-done big man, played a big part in UP’s 11-4 pullaway at the start of the payoff frame scoring eight, building a deficit the reigning champs will chip away a little but never fully recover from.

UP also had help from Francis Lopez who contributed 13 points, six rebounds and four blocks while Gerry Abadiano added nine points and eight rebounds.

Quiambao ended up with 19 points and 11 rebounds despite UP’s defense obviously suffocating the Archer forward. Mike Phillips had a double-double of his own with 17 points and 11 rebounds

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The Maroons look to end the series on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena while the Archers aim to extend the series to a Game 3 to stay sitting on their throne.kawbet

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