MANILA, Philippines – As only heated rivals can deliver, the blockbuster battle between defending UAAP men’s basketball champion La Salle and three-peat finalist UP featured multiple high and low points, culminating in a roller-coaster 68-56 finish in favor of the on-point Green Archers.
There was Kevin Quiambao’s usual MVP-level performance with a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double, there was Joshua David’s four-triple eruption in La Salle’s late pullaway, and there was Harold Alarcon’s near-solo comeback effort with 12 third-quarter points for UP to erase a 20-point deficit.
However, one of the most intriguing points of the contest happened just a step outside the hardwood, as both UP and La Salle coaching staffs charged at one another seemingly out of nowhere, causing a game stoppage near the end of the third frame.
Green Archers assistant coach Gian Nazario downplayed the fracas after the game, saying it was all part of the game.
“Actually, I was surprised that the coaches were standing up and started pointing, so I just stood up and pointed along with them,” he joked in Filipino.
“But kidding aside, emotions were high at that point. I don’t really know what transpired, but I’m just there to protect my coaches as well. So when everyone was standing up, I wanted to be united with them. Again, emotions. We were all carried away and I think it was pacified well. Part of the game.”
UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde, however, had a different view on the near-scuffle, but refused to elaborate further.
“If it’s just basketball and being competitive, both sides will give their best,” he said in Filipino. “But of course, it’s ugly when there are other things being done on the court that have no relation to the game. That’s the point.”
“On our part, the players will really react, even the bench.”
Whatever the triggering point was, both sides were indeed pacified completely and in timely fashion with just a pair of warnings, paving the way for a peaceful end to the game where all coaches eventually shook hands as La Salle took the win.
Both sides have at least one more elimination showdown left as the second round rolls along, with possibly more on the way should they meet again in the finals or at least the Final Four.
Time will tell if cooler heads will again prevail outside the court, despite what promises to be more heated, must-see action on it. – Rappler.com