The University of the Philippines won the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball championship by defeating Kevin Quiambao's De La Salle University 66-62 in the winner-take-all Game 3.
As UP exacted revenge for losing the title to the same Green Archers a year prior, JD Cagulangan–who was outstanding throughout the best-of-three series–was once again in control. He finished his collegiate career with 12 points, four assists, three steals, and two rebounds, earning him two rings before leaving the college ranks.
UP was able to finally recover from their runner-up performances in Seasons 85 and 86, where they were defeated by Ateneo de Manila University and La Salle, respectively. This was State U's second victory in the previous four seasons, and their program's fourth UAAP title overall.
UP’s heroes
In addition to Cagulangan, Quentin Millora-Brown contributed to UP's victory with an 18-point, 10-rebound performance, and Francis Lopez made amends with 12 points, three of which were the Fighting Maroons' game-winning dagger.
With just 1:12 remaining in the game, Lopez made a critical three-pointer to give UP a 64-60 lead after UP was only ahead by one, 61-60, late in the payoff period.
Lopez had a pivotal moment when La Salle forced a decisive Game 3 due to a few errors he made in the last minutes of Game 2.
KQ takes his talents to Korea
Following La Salle's defeat, Kevin Quiambao, the UAAP's Most Valuable Player, left the league to play professionally in the Korean Basketball League.
Quiambao will play for the Goyang Sono SkyGunners. He was the first local men's basketball MVP in the UAAP since 2015 and the first player to win back-to-back titles since Ben Mbala in 2016–2017.
During his three seasons at La Salle, the Muntinlupa native won two MVP awards, one Finals MVP award, and one championship, among many other honors.
“My college career comes to an end, I will pursue my NBA dream and start my journey by playing professional ball in Goyang Sono SkyGunners and developing my game even more,” Quiambao wrote in a social media post.
