Win number six for the Green Archers was a tough one.
The De La Salle University Green Archers needed to dig deep in an 84-78 win against the still winless University of the East Red Warriors Wednesday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Green Archers were once again led by Ben Mbala. The Cameroonian student-athlete notched his sixth double-double of the season with 19 points and 17 rebounds to go along with three swats.
First year Green Archer head coach Aldin Ayo was ejected from the game after making physical contact with game official Eric Viray with 1:12 remaining in the first half. The incident stemmed from Ayo not agreeing with a non-call prior between Thomas Torres and Wil Bartolome.
Moreover, Jeron Teng was limited to his season-low seven points, going just 3-of-10 from the field.
“During the crisis of the game, we just stuck to the system and followed the instruction. With God’s blessing, we got the win,” third year forward Prince Rivero said.
With Ayo out and the Red Warriors hunger to notch its first win, Alvin Pasaol led UE’s third quarter rally. The once 18-point La Salle lead was eventually sliced to just seven entering the final frame, 62-55.
Fortunately, the duo of Prince Rivero, who finished the game with 11 points and eight rebounds in just 10 minutes, and Andrei Caracut, who scored all nine of his points in the final frame, stepped up for the Green Archers.
Eventually, La Salle was able to gain a 78-67 with 3:23 left in the game. However, Pasaol was able to bring UE back but the Red Warriors did not allow themselves to rally back as Philip Manalang and Emil Palma converted three turnovers. A triple by Caracut with 1:01 left served as the dagger, extending the Taft cagers’ lead to 81-74.
“Nung nawala si coach Aldin, nag-iba talaga. It was tough that coach Aldin was thrown out of the game. Nawala man si coach Aldin physically but he’s there with us all throughout the game,” Caracut said about his mentor.
“His energy was still there with us. He did that for us. He was just protecting us.”
“Alam naman ng lahat yung gagawin. Sa system namin, everytime na naninigaw kami, ang iisipin lang nila yung sistema at yung alam ng marami,” assistant coach Louie Gonzalez, who took over coaching duties in the game, said.
Pasaol led UE with 22 points, including two triples. Bonbon Batiller added 13 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
The DLSU Green Archers (6-0) look to sweep the round on Sunday, October 2 facing rival ADMU Blue Eagles (4-2) at 4:00pm. On the other hand, the UE Red Warriors (0-6) hope to upset the Adamson Soaring Falcons (3-2) on the same day at 12:00nn.
The Scores:
DLSU (84) – Mbala 19, Baltazar 14, Rivero P 11, Montalbo 9, Caracut 9, Teng 7, Melecio 5, Torres 4, Go 4, Perkins 2, Tratter 0, Paraiso 0, Rivero R 0.
UE (78) – Pasaol 22, Batiller 13, Varilla 8, Derige 8, Manalang 7, Palma 7, De Leon 4, Bartolome 4, Penuela 4, Charcos 1, Gagate 0, Olayon 0, Abanto 0, Armenion 0, Acuno 0.
Quarterscores: 25-15, 44-30, 62-55, 84-78.
