MANILA (UPDATED) - De La Salle University doomed Far Eastern University to its worst start in the UAAP's Final 4 era, after a comfortable 87-70 triumph on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Tamaraws, a perennial contender in the league, have now lost five consecutive games to open the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball tournament. They last dropped four games in a row to start a tournament in Season 69, when they missed the Final 4.

For the Green Archers, it's a much-needed bounce-back victory. La Salle had fallen prey to the University of the East last week, 81-74, in a major upset. The cagers from Taft also got it done without starting center Michael Phillips, who was rested due to a hamstring tightness.

"We really have to come back, bounce back today, after that loss last Wednesday. We did not take care of things last Wednesday," said La Salle coach Derick Pumaren after the game. "It was a really good bounce back today."

"I was telling the guys that I expect them to come out smoking this afternoon," he added.

Schonny Winston continued his blistering start to the season, finishing with a superb all-around effort of 23 points, 14 rebounds, five steals, and five assists to fuel the Green Archers to a 3-2 win-loss record.

Kevin Quiambao added 16 points, eight boards and four dimes, while Joaqui Manuel contributed 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Evan Nelle contributed 12 assists and six steals on top of eight points in a 30-minute stint, as La Salle continues to play without Mark Nonoy (ankle injury).

The Green Archers were in control from the opening tip, and a 32-point second quarter put the game on ice by the halftime break. La Salle went on to lead by as much as 31 points, 66-35, off a layup by Manuel with 4:12 to play in the third quarter.

The Tamaraws, playing with more urgency in the fourth quarter, managed to trim the deficit to 15 points, 81-66, with 3:53 to go off big buckets by LJay Gonzales and Patrick Sleat. But Quiambao slammed the door on their attempt at a comeback, sparking a 6-0 blast that he capped with a one-handed slam dunk.

Gonzales led FEU with 16 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and five steals, but he shot only 5-of-15 from the field and committed three turnovers. Bryan Sajonia added 15 points, while Sleat finished with 12 markers.

But FEU lost the rebounding battle, 57-36, even with Phillips on the sidelines, and they shot just 36.2% from the field in the defeat.

The Scores:

LA SALLE 87 -- Winston 23, Quiambao 16, Manuel 14, Nelle 8, Austria 7, Nwankwo 6, Estacio 5, Cortez 4, B. Phillips 2, Abadam 2.

FEU 70 -- Gonzales 16, Sajonia 15, Sleat 12, Torres 10, Bagunu 8, Tchuente 3, Tempra 2, Ona 2, Anonuevo 1, Celzo 1, Alforque 0, Sandagon 0.

Quarters: 18-10, 50-25, 74-49, 87-70.

UAAP Season 85 is streaming on iWantTFC every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, available for Premium users outside the Philippines.