UE frustrates La Salle for second win

By NIKOLE JAVIER 

Brothers Kyle and Nikkoe Paranada teamed up for University of the East as it stunned De La Salle, 81-74, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

Kyle tallied 20 points while Nikko chipped in 18 points to lift the Red Warriors past the Green Archers for their second win.

The Archers saw their 67-59 fourth-quarter lead vanish after Kyle drained eight straight points to tie the game at 67-all with 4:17 to go.

Since then, there was no stopping Kyle, who hit the dagger with 34.9 seconds to play, which ensured La Salle was out of sight after a 25-5 rally. 

“‘Yong first game natin nanalo ang NU sa UP, so na-inspire ‘yong mga bata. Sabihin nating upset ‘yong first game so ginawa namin lahat ng magagawa namin para matalo ‘yong La Salle,” said UE coach Jack Santiago. 

UE’s victory equalled its head-to-head record with La Salle at 2-2 while also halting its skid over the Archers for the last three years.

Luis Villegas finished with a double-double effort of 16 points with 10 rebounds for UE while Gani Stevens chipped in eight points, eight boards and four steals.

UE’s win overshadowed the efforts of Schonny Winston for La Salle after pumping in 26 points, nine rebounds and four steals in 38 minutes.

The Scores:

UE 81 — K. Paranada 20, N. Paranada 18, Villegas 16, Stevens 8, Payawal 7, Sawat 5, Alcantara 3, Guevarra 2, Abatayo 2, Antiporda 0, Beltran 0, Remogat 0.

LA SALLE 74 — Winston 26, Quiambao 15, Estacio 7, Austria 6, Cortez 6, B. Phillips 5, Abadam 4, M. Phillips 3, Nwankwo 2, Manuel 0, Macalalag 0.

Quarters: 16-16, 34-36, 51-56, 81-74.