Win number eight did not come easy for the league-leaders.
The De La Salle University Green Archers survived a 27-point explosion by Jerrick Ahanmisi in an 86-79 win to go to 8-0, Sunday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ben Mbala had his “worst” game of the season, barely notching a double-double with 18 points on 4-of-13 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds.
Fortunately for La Salle, the rookie tandem of Ricci Rivero and Aljun Melecio scored 14 and 11 points respectively to keep their ship afloat.
The Green Archers cruised in the first three quarters, leading by as much as 17 points, 59-42, with 4:05 left after a Ricci Rivero three.
During that frame, the Green Archers showcased their might, turning the court into a dunk spectacle. Mbala had a huge one-handed jam in the first frame, while Abu Tratter had a couple of thunderous slams as well.
However, rookie sharpshooter Ahanmisi willed his team back in the final frame, leading a rally by draining two triples during the first five minutes of the final quarter.
The front court of the Soaring Falcons complemented the effort, as Papi Sarr and Sean Manganti combined for 12 fourth quarter points as well.
“Close game. Given na ganun yung sitwasyon, di kami aalis sa sistema namin,” La Salle head coach Aldin Ayo said. “Gusto namin yung ganung pace palagi.”
Back-to-back turnovers by Thomas Torres led to a basket for Sarr to cut the lead to just two, 80-78, with 1:51 left. After splits by Robbie Manalang and Ben Mbala, the latter from the fifth foul of Manganti, a costly turnover by Ahanmisi led to an excellent find by Rivero to a wide-open Kib Montalbo that gave La Salle a four-point cushion with 46 seconds left.
“Yung mga ganung klaseng laro, yun ang gusto namin ipasok yung pagiging spontaneous ng mga bata. We allow them to play basketball, make decisions, and go with the flow,” Ayo added. “Pag ganung situwasyon, pag sinubukan pa namin mag-control baka mawala ang laro ng mga bata.”
A turnover by Jonathan Espeleta and free throws by Mbala sealed La Salle’s eighth win of the season.
“Good thing they responded and played good basketball,” he closed.
Ahanmisi went an efficient 10-of-17 from the field in the game. Papi Sarr had 13 markers, while Manganti added 12 points and nine rebounds.
La Salle shot 44 percent from the field compared to 40 percent for Adamson. They also out-rebounded the young Falcons 51 to 41.
Jeron Teng missed his second game of the season.
The Green Archers (8-0) will next face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (2-6) on Saturday, October 15 at 2:00pm. The Adamson Soaring Falcons (4-4) will face the same team on Wednesday, October 12 at 2:00pm.
The Scores:
DLSU (86) – Mbala 18, Rivero 14, Melecio 11, Torres 9, Montalbo 8, Tratter 7, Perkins 5, Caracut 4, Baltazar 4, Paraiso 2, Dyke 2, Sargent 2, Go 0.
ADU (79) – Ahanmisi 27, Sarr 13, Manganti 12, Espeleta 9, Bernardo 6, Manalang 3, Ochea 3, Mustre 3, Ng 3, Paranada 0, Camacho 0, Pasturan 0, Ballon 0, Tungcab 0, Barrera 0, Chua 0.
Quarterscores: 17-19, 44-33, 66-55, 86-79.
