La Salle drubs NU, sets up finals date vs UP

De La Salle University ended a six-year championship appearance drought with a 97-73 rout of the hapless National University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 men's basketball tournament Final Four Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mark Nonoy torched the defense with his hot hands, firing 20 points to lead the Green Archers' balanced assault as they returned to the finals for the first time since a runner-up finish in 2017 bringing with them a nine-game winning streak.

La Salle gets a shot at the crown it last held back in 2016 in a best-of-three title showdown against University of the Philippines on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It is the first championship showdown between the Green Archers and Fighting Maroons since La Salle joined the league in 1986.

Save for a little hiccup after the tipoff, it was all Green Archers the whole match that turned into a yawner after three quarters when La Salle broke the game open, 70-46, with under two minutes left when Nonoy nailed his fourth triple of the game.

Most Valuable Player award frontrunner Kevin Quiambao neared a double-double with 17 points and eight rebounds while Evan Nelle and Mike Phillips added 15 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Green Archers. Nelle dished out eight assists.

NU, which dropped its third straight game, wrapped up its season at third place replicating its bronze medal finish last year.

Jake Figueroa had 19 points and nine boards, Mike Malonzo made 13 markers and eight boards while Kean Baclaan chipped in 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists in a lost cause for the Bulldogs.