De La Salle University took care of business against the University of the East, 112-87, to snap a two-game skid in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Green Archers encountered early trouble this season, losing to the UST Growling Tigers, 75-80, and the FEU Tamaraws, 78-90, after opening their campaign with an 89-87 victory over the NU Bulldogs.
The win leveled the defending champions’ record at 2-2, putting them in a three-way tie for fifth place with NU and UST.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“We just discussed how so unpredictable this season will be especially with the games yesterday. This is just gonna make every game very very interesting. We came from back-to-back losses, those are big losses for us but I guess, it’s just more on focusing on our own race, making sure we’re just gonna focus on ourselves,” said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson, referring to Ateneo’s stunning win over NU and Adamson’s 28-point rout of UST on Saturday.
After sluggish starts in their games against the Tigers and Tamaraws, the Green Archers finally opened a game on the right foot, immediately establishing a double-digit lead over the Red Warriors after the first quarter, 31-19.
La Salle did not let up in the second period, continuing its offensive onslaught to stretch the lead to 19 at halftime, 61-42.
The 112 points marked the Green Archers’ highest-scoring game since they also put up 112 points in a 112-83 rout of UST on April 19, 2022, back in Season 84.
Mason Amos led six La Salle players in double figures with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field, along with five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
Jacob Cortez added 15 points and four assists, while his younger brother, Mikey, chipped in 11 points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc.
Nigerian center Henry Agunanne posted 11 points and nine rebounds, while Doy Dungo and Joaquin Tovera scored 10 points apiece in the dominant victory, which saw Robinson utilize all of his available players.
La Salle will next face its storied rival and current league leader, Ateneo de Manila University, on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, UE remained winless through five games, extending its losing streak to 25 games.
Tope Lagat, however, continued his impressive sophomore campaign, erupting for 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting to go with three assists and three steals.
Mo Tañedo added 14 points and nine assists, while Gene Carillo and Kean Dungca contributed 12 points apiece.
UE will continue its search for its elusive first win next Sunday when it faces Adamson University at the same Pasay venue.
The Scores:
DLSU (112) – Amos 19, J. Cortez 15, M. Cortez 11, Agunanne 11, Dungo 10, Tovera 10, Pablo 8, Abadam 8, Gagate 6, Marasigan 4, Macalalag 4, Quines 3, Daep 2, Sharma 1, Sardon 0, Gomez 0.
UE (87) – Lagat 30, Tañedo 14, Carillo 12, Dungca 12, Vazquez 7, Robles 5, Cruz-Dumont 3, Edoukou 2, Santos 2, Sabroso 0, Jimenez 0.
Quarterscores: 31-19, 61-42, 89-65, 112-87
