Kyle Paranada clutch as UE stuns La Salle for 2nd win

MANILA, Philippines – Kyle Paranada delivered when it mattered the most as the UE Red Warriors stunned the La Salle Green Archers, 81-74, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, October 12.

With UE trailing by 8 points, 59-67, early in the fourth frame, Paranada, who struggled in the first three quarters, took it upon himself and went on a personal 8-0 blast to tie the game at 67-all with 4:13 to play.

Still tied at 72-all with less than 2 minutes left on the clock, Paranada then converted on the go-ahead basket, before he iced the game with a tough three-point play that extended UE’s lead to 9, 81-72, with just 35 seconds remaining in the game.

Paranda finished with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals, while his brother Nikko added 18 points on 4-of-8 shooting from deep.

Luis Villegas, who also came up with a crucial basket and block down the stretch, recorded a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds for UE, which tied La Salle at the standings with an even 2-2 slate.

On the other side, Schonny Winston, the league’s leading scorer, exploded for 26 points and 9 rebounds for the Green Archers, who failed to ride on the momentum of their huge win over archrival Ateneo Blue Eagles last Sunday.

Kevin Quiambao backstopped Winston with 15 points on an efficient 7-of-11 clip from the field, while Penny Estacio stepped up in the absence of key guards Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy with 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists.

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.

– Rappler.com