Malonzo saves best for last, leads La Salle rout Adamson in closer

Jamie Malonzo buried seven triples to lead De La Salle University to an 89-63 drubbing of Adamson University to end its UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament campaign, Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Fil-Am forward scored a career-best 34 points on 7-of-12 sniping from downtown in his final game for the Green Archers — plus 12 rebounds — capping off his short run in Taft with a victory.

He was responsible for La Salle’s blazing 25-12 opener, accounting for 11 points to help his side assert dominance and cruise to the 26-point rout. The Green Archers even took a lead as big as 30, 66-36, late in the third frame.

Andrei Caracut also ended his collegiate run with 14 points, six assists, and three rebounds.

La Salle s finished the year at an even 7-7, in fifth.

“Lots of learnings for us,” said coach Gian Nazario. “Hats off to these two guys. They ended their college careers well.”

Justine Baltazar also tallied a double-double with his 14 points and 13 rebounds.

The Green Archers asserted control in the game through their hot shooting. They went 42-percent from the field, including a 46-percent shooting from downtown.

La Salle also controlled the boards, out-rebounding Adamson, 63 to 43.

Besides Malonzo and Caracut, James Laput-Pado, and Keyshawn Meeker ended their college careers.

On the other hand, the Soaring Falcons suffered four straight losses to bow out with a 4-10 slate.

AP Manlapaz topped Adamson with 15 points and four rebounds, while Jerom Lastimosa scored 10.

Simon Camacho, Kristian Bernardo, Egie Mojica, and Valandre Chauca all played their final collegiate game as well.

The Scores:

DLSU 89 — Malonzo 34, Baltazar 14, Caracut 14, Bartlett 7, Serrano 7, Hill 5, Melecio 3, Laput 3, Lojera 2, Bates 0, Cu 0, Escandor 0, Lim 0, Manuel 0.

ADU 63 — Manlapaz 15, Lastimosa 10, Mojica 9, Douanga 6, Ahanmisi 5, Chauca 4, Fermin 4, Sabandal 3, Zaldivar 3, Camacho 2, Yerro 2, Bernardo 0, Capulong 0, Flowers 0, Magbuhos 0, Orquez 0.

Quarterscores: 25-12, 50-29, 68-40, 89-63.