For the first time in almost five years, De La Salle University ended the first round of the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament with a resounding 5-2 win-loss record at the expense of Adamson University.
With that being said, though, things could have been oh so different. Adamson went so close to winning the ballgame especially since La Salle had a precarious 56-55 edge.
However, cometh the hour, cometh the captain at Justine Balatzar’s two blocks ensured that the Green Archers held on for the 61-58 victory as they secured their best start to the tournament since Season 80.
“We still made stops. Balti, everybody, the five guys there on the floor really great team effort defensively,” said La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren. “It was the defense that carried us again today.
“It was a tough win for us.”
Despite getting a 43-33 cushion in the third quarter thanks to Joaqui Manuel’s explosion, La Salle was on the backfoot with 5:11 left in the final period after Adamson executed a 20-2 run that allowed them to have a 45-53 separation.
Similar to their loss against University of the Philippines, the Green Archers failed to hold on to a lead and allowed the Soaring Falcons to get back in the contest. If it were not for Baltazar’s rejections on Didat Hanapi and Keith Zaldivar in crunch time, then it could definitely have been a different story.
“Wala ng oras eh. Talagang ang balak ko dun i-block talaga. Itaas ko lang kamay ko kasi baka mahabol pa eh.
“Parang nakipagsabayan nga kami sabi ni coach (Derrick). Hindi namin ginawa yung depensa namin kaya ganun, nakahabol (Adamson). Dikit lang ang laban,” said the UAAP Season 79 gold medalist.
“Siguro, (kumpara) sa last year, mas maganda record namin ngayon kasi nung last season talo kami sa FEU, sa UP and sa ano eh. Parang 4-3 ata kami last year eh so mas maganda standing namin ngayon,” the 25-year-old big man continued.
It is one thing to have a good start, but it is another to have the season culminate in outstanding fashion. The Green Archers still have a lot to play for as they target to win their first crown since 2016. For his part, Baltazar would love for his last dance with La Salle to end on the highest note.
With seven games coming fast, the Gilas forward seeks to see his team cut off its mistakes. One game from the first round in particular still stings and he hopes that La Salle redeems itself next time around.
“So yung pagkakamali namin sa UP, kailangan namin bumawi dito sa second round eh.”
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