De La Salle University snapped its two-game losing streak, but not without a scare from University of the East, eking out a 97-88 overtime victory to kick off the second round of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
On the day the school officially removed the interim tag from head coach Paolo Hubalde, the Red Warriors turned in their best performance of the season behind rising star Toper Lagat, who came alive after a scoreless first half to force overtime.
However, La Salle showed greater composure in the extra period despite Doy Dungo cramping up at the 4:34 mark, while Jcee Macalalag (3:05) and Vhoris Marasigan (29.8 seconds) went down with injuries.
“Despite committing 31 turnovers, we still won. Thankfully, we dominated the paint; we made 60 points. I think that’s a record for us. There’s also resiliency among the players to not give up,” said La Salle assistant coach Oliver Bunyi, as UE converted the Green Archers’ miscues into just 26 points.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Red Warriors erased a 50-57 fourth-quarter deficit and seized a 66-61 lead as Lagat, Lance Sabroso, and DJ Robles spearheaded a 16-4 run with 6:10 remaining in the frame.
Dungo and Henry Agunanne responded for the Green Archers, helping them reclaim a 74-70 advantage with 21.9 seconds left in regulation. But Sabroso scored quickly before UE’s defensive pressure led to a Lagat steal and a layup with 9.4 seconds remaining to force overtime. Joaquin Tovera missed a layup on the other end, while Lagat’s desperation heave fell well short.
After Red Warrior Mo Tañedo’s layup put UE within striking distance at 84-82, Tovera, Mason Amos, and Earl Abadam combined for a 7-2 run to give La Salle an insurmountable 91-84 lead with just 57.9 seconds remaining.
Coming off back-to-back losses to the UP Fighting Maroons and Adamson Soaring Falcons to close out the first round, the Green Archers bounced back to even their record at 4-4 and moved into solo sixth place.
La Salle also extended UE’s record-setting struggles, handing the Red Warriors their 28th consecutive defeat dating back to Season 87.
The skid is now the second-longest in UAAP men’s basketball history, behind Adamson’s 35-game losing streak from Seasons 62 to 65 (1999 to 2002).
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Green Archers played the entire second half without team leader Jacob Cortez, who exited at the 3:27 mark of the second quarter after injuring his right leg on a drive attempt.
Amos led La Salle with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Macalalag added 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Nigerian center Henry Agunanne chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, while Dungo finished with 12 points, four assists, and two rebounds.
Rookie Tovera contributed 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals but committed six turnovers, including a wayward pass that led to Lagat’s game-tying layup in the dying seconds of regulation.
La Salle will look to move above the .500 mark on Sunday when it faces University of Santo Tomas at the Blue Eagle Gym at 6 p.m.
Lagat still paced the Red Warriors despite his scoreless first half, finishing with 20 points, six steals, and five rebounds.
Sabroso backed him with 18 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while Tañedo chipped in 16 points.
UE will also seek to end its losing streak on Sunday when it takes on University of the Philippines at 2:30 p.m.
The Scores:
DLSU (97) – Amos 17, Macalalag 14, Agunanne 13, Dungo 12, Tovera 11, Abadam 9, Pablo 6, J. Cortez 4, Gagate 4, Sardon 3, Marasigan 2, M. Cortez 2. Quines 0.
UE (88) – Lagat 20, Sabroso 18, Tañedo 16, Cruz-Dumont 13, Robles 9, Vazquez 4, Jimenez 4, Ajani 2, Javier 2, Dungca 0, Perez 0, Apostol 0.
Quarterscores: 27-16, 40-29, 57-50, 74-74, 97-88.
