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MANILA, Philippines – La Salle fended off a late UST surge to zoom to its third straight win, 86-77, and grab a share of the second seed to open its UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball second-round run on Saturday, October 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Green Archers, now tied with the Growling Tigers and the UP Fighting Maroons in the second spot with a 5-3 record, dodged a three-team logjam with Ateneo and Adamson at No. 4. The NU Bulldogs remained atop the standings with a 6-2 slate.
JC Macalalag led La Salle with 18 points, setting the tone for the Green Archers with four triples in the first half.
Jacob Cortez shot just 5-of-17 from the field, but finished with 12 points and 4 assists, while Mike Phillips put up 6 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 dimes.
Vhoris Marasigan and Earl Abadam also had 10 points apiece for the Green Archers.
La Salle, still without Kean Baclaan and Mason Amos due to knee injuries, outscored UST, 41-14, in bench points production to outplay the Tigers from start to finish.
“It’s just everybody finding their way to contribute to this team,” La Salle head coach Topex Robinson said. “We always tell them that you didn’t come into this program by accident. You came here in this program because we’ve seen something in you.”
“So when they got the opportunity right now, it was just fun to watch those guys responding to the challenge.”
La Salle led virtually the entire game, opening a commanding 52-36 lead at halftime before keeping UST at bay the rest of the way.
Collins Akowe put up 20 points and 14 rebounds on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, while Gelo Crisostomo had 15 markers and 8 rebounds in the losing effort.
Mark Llemit and Nic Cabañero also chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively, as the Tigers dropped to their second straight loss, their first losing skid of the season.
Streaking Adamson extends hapless UE’s woes
On the other hand, Adamson has made itself a dark-horse contender for a Final Four spot once more.
The Soaring Falcons won their third straight game to get a share of the fifth seed with idle Ateneo, improving to a 4-4 record after escaping the UE Red Warriors, 56-53.
Cedrick Manzano led Adamson with 11 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks in the low-scoring affair, while Earl Anabo added 8 points and 8 rebounds as the Falcons sent the Warriors to their eighth loss in as many games.
After holding a 36-28 lead at halftime, the Soaring Falcons absorbed a 7-0 start from the Red Warriors, narrowing the gap to 1, 36-35.
The two squads kept it close for the rest of the way before UE snatched the lead with under four minutes left in the fourth quarter, 50-49.
Austin Ronzone then answered a three to give Adamson the lead for good, 52-50, en route to the Falcons’ win.
John Abate tallied 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Precious Momowei recorded 15 points and 14 rebounds for UE.
The Scores
First Game
Adamson 56 – Manzano 11, Anabo 8, Fransman 7, Erolon 7, Torres 5, Medina 5, A. Ronzone 3, Ojarikre 3, Cañete 3, Montebon 2, Demisana 2, C. Ronzone 0, Perez 0, Jaymalin 0, Barcelona 0, Tumaneng 0.
UE 53 – Abate 16, Momowei 15, Caoile 6, Lagat 6, Robles 4, Despi 2, Tañedo 2, Cabero 2, Rosete 0, Datumalim 0, Mulingtapang 0, Cruz-Dumont 0.
Quarters: 21-17, 36-28, 47-43, 56-53.
Second Game
La Salle 86 – Macalalag 18, Cortez 12, Marasigan 10, Abadam 10, Daep 8, Gollena 8, Phillips 6, Dungo 5, Quines 5, Pablo 4, Nwankwo 0.
UST 77 – Akowe 20, Crisostomo 15, Llemit 13, Cabañero 12, Danting 5, Acido 4, Padrigao 3, Paranada 3, Calum 2, Buenaflor 0, Estacio 0.
Quarters: 24-17, 52-36, 64-51, 86-77.
– Rappler.com
