The De La Salle University Green Archers kept their quarterfinal hopes alive as they romped the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, 93-77, Thursday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Ben Mbala hit a record of 45 points, a tournament-high for this year’s tournament. The Cameroonian student-athlete had 17 rebounds and three blocks to complement his markers.
The Green Archers displayed great ball movement all game long to keep Letran struggling on the defensive end.
“Ito na yata yung game na may pinaka marami kaming assists, naka 20 kami. We were moving the ball and ayun, bumabagsak ang bola kay Ben,” coach Aldin Ayo expressed. “Hinahanap naming yung high-percentage shot, hinahanap namin yung best shot at para sa amin papunta yun kay Ben.”
Forward Ricci Rivero was not subbed out of the game, chipping in 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Coach Aldin Ayo deployed Ricci Rivero for the full 40 minutes, “Sinubukan namin yung endurance niya tapos kung gaano siya ka physically fit. Gusto naming maglaro siya ng maglaro para matutong gumawa ng magandang decision sa laro.”
La Salle’s biggest lead was 20 points. But their defense collapsed a bit as Letran pulled off an 8-0 run early in the fourth quarter, with points coming from JP Calvo and Bong Quinto.
The Knights may have had Jerrick Balanza getting 22 points and three assists, and Bong Quinto with 14 points and nine rebounds, but La Salle’s inside points and defense reigned supreme.
With the loss of the Ateneo de Manila University, La Salle advance to the next round and will the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Wednesday.
The Letran Knights exit the Premier Cup with a dismal 1-7 record. – By: Danine Cruz
The Scores:
DLSU (93) – Mbala 45, Rivero 17, Melecio 8, Santillan 8, Baltazar 5, Tratter 4, Capacio 3, Gonzales 2, Caracut 1, Go 0, Tero 0.
CSJL (77) – Balanza 22, Quinto 14, Calvo 14, Ambohot 8, Vacaro 6, Caralipio 4, Balagasay 3, Taladua 3, Pascual 2, Gedaria 1, Pamulaklakin 0, Bernabe 0, Mandrez 0, De Villa 0.
Quarterscores: 20-16, 45-32, 72-54, 93-77.
