La Salle routs UP, forces deciding Game 3

(UPDATE) DE LA SALLE University demolished the University of the Philippines with an 82-60 Game 2 victory at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday to force a decider in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball finals.

Francis Escandor finished with 14 points, including 12 in the second half where he buried four treys to set the domination of La Salle, which avenged its 67-97 Game One defeat.

Joshua David also found his range and finished with 12 points built on a 4-of-6 three-point clip, two of those triples he drilled in the first half that helped the Green Archers pull away.

CJ Austria stepped up, too, with 11 points and five rebounds, as Mike Phillips put up nine points and 13 rebounds.

Newly-minted MVP Kevin Quiambao scored three points only on 3-of-17 shooting but atoned for it with 13 rebounds and three blocks.

Mythical Team member Evan Nelle also rebounded from a forgettable Game 1 performance with four points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

«We don't want to end these finals right away. We just gave UP a good fight. Players really wanted it this afternoon,» said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson.

«These guys really played with their hearts out. They did their job and happy for them,» Robinson added.

The middle quarters proved pivotal for the Green Archers, who outscored the Fighting Maroons, 41-22, after an early 2-12 disadvantage.

Mythical Team member Malick Diouf turned in 11 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks to pace the Fighting Maroons.

Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez played through the flu but nearly tallied a double-double of nine points and 13 rebounds.

CJ Cansino chipped in 11 points in the contest that drew 20,863 fans to the Big Dome.