University of the Philippines (UP) may have found the answer to the De La Salle University puzzle when it posted a 73-65 win in Game 1 of their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 best-of-three finals series.

But it wasn’t the Fighting Maroons’ vaunted firepower that sparked the victory that put them a heartbeat away from winning the title. It was their defense.

Rookie Jacob Bayla served as a revelation when he put clamps on La Salle superstar Kevin Quiambao in the second half of their thrilling win late Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After watching Quiambao erupt for 18 points and nine rebounds in the first half, Bayla stepped in and held the back-to-back Most Valuable Player awardee to a single point on a nightmarish 0-of-6 from the field that set the tone for the earthshaking victory.

Bayla finished with five points, three steals and two rebounds while applying suffocating defense on the sweet-shooting Quiambao, who is regarded as the best and most seasoned player in the collegiate ranks today.

“Last night they just told me to stay ready whenever I come in. I just had that mindset to work hard and just play my best. Play with a lot of heart,” said Bayla, a Filipino-American recruit who competed for Gilas Youth in the 2022 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship.

He said he still has a lot to prove and successfully playing the role of a “Quiambao-stopper” is definitely a huge stride towards his goal.

“You know where I come from, I’m from the States. I have a lot to prove here, so just guarding the best player is really honorable,” said the 6-foot-5 forward who played for Valley Christian High School before donning the colors of Fil-Am Nation Select in the 2024 NBTC National Finals.

“It’s a dream, for sure. I’ve been dreaming ever since I was a kid to play in a championship, the final game in college. I’m really happy and excited.”

UP coach Goldwin Monteverde lauded the impressive defensive effort of Bayla, saying that he showed his heart and determination to win in his rookie season.

“You know, for a rookie, to defend Kevin during the game, he showed a lot of heart in his first game in the UAAP finals,” said Monteverde, who knows Quiambao like the back of his hand after coaching him at National University Nazareth School in the high school division.