After seven long years, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball title returned to Taft Avenue.

It was worth the wait for De La Salle University as it outworked, outhustled and outclassed University of the Philippines, 73-69, in a nerve-wracking Game 3 to clinch the Season 86 title before a record crowd late Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A total of 25,192 spectators showed up to witness the sudden-death encounter between two of the best collegiate basketball programs in the country.

The attendance broke the previous record of 25,138 registered during the decider of the Season 77 championship between National University and Far Eastern University back in 2014.

Contrary to their first two matches, which both turned into blowout affairs, the tiebreaker wasn’t decided until the final buzzer with Kevin Quiambao shining bright, proving that he is the best amateur player in the country today.

Quiambao, the Season and Finals Most Valuable Player, delivered a superb all-around performance as he calmly sank two crucial free throws in the final 2.1 seconds to seal the Green Archers’ 10th overall title against a Fighting Maroons squad that has been in the finals for the third consecutive time.

After taking a 67-63 lead in the final 6:08, the Green Archers employed their stifling defense to hold the Fighting Maroons scoreless and inch closer to the coveted title.

Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez, who made a costly turnover in the last minute of the match, stopped the Fighting Maroons’ bleeding with 2.2 left to close the gap to 71-69, but it came too late as Quiambao iced the championship.

Quiambao, who had a combined 20 points in the first two games, played his best game of the series, finishing with 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks for the Green Archers, who handed first-year coach Topex Robinson his first college championship.

With that, Robinson joined Franz Pumaren, Juno Sauler and Aldin Ayo in the elite club of La Salle coaches who won the title in their debut season.

“As coach Topex would always say, there’s no more tomorrow. We have to keep in mind that every possession is gold. As one of the reliables, I have to step up in any way I can,” Quiambao said.

“We worked hard for this. I did my job and good thing we got the championship.”

The scores:

LA SALLE (73) — Quiambao 24, Nelle 12, Policarpio 8, Nonoy 8, M. Phillips 5, Macalalag 5, Escandor 4, David 3, Austria 3, Cortez 1, Manuel 0, Nwanko 0, B. Phillips 0, Abadam 0.

UP (69) — Diouf 21, Lopez 12, Alarcon 10, Cagulangan 8, Felicilda 5, Cansino 5, Torculas 4, Abadiano 2, Torres 2, Fortea 0, Pablo 0.

QUARTERS: 22-21; 39-43; 55-58; 73-69