The De La Salle University Green Archers completely out-muscled the University of the East Red Warriors in a 97-75 whitewashing, Friday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Holding an 11-point lead entering the fourth quarter, the Green Archers, behind 21-year-old big man Ben Mbala, outscored the Red Warriors 24-13 to turn the game into a blowout. The Green and White squad, despite committing 23 turnovers, were able to shoot at an efficient 42% clip — majority coming from the inside.
“Kung titignan niyo yung stats, almost the same turnovers, turnover points the same. Walang may advantage dun,” first year La Salle head coach Aldin Ayo said. “If there’s one thing na maganda, yung field goal percentage namin. Nahanap namin yung magandang tira para sa amin.”
The Red Warriors were forced to shoot from the outside due to the imposing size of the Green Archer lineup that featured Mbala and Abu Tratter. Moreover, the Cameroonian big man scored seven of his 24 points in the final quarter, while the backcourt of Kib Montalbo and Andrei Caracut were able to drain triples as well.
However, the game was physical all throughout, as a total of 58 foul were assessed by the officials that led to 47 free throw attempts for the Green Archers, who converted 36, while UE went 16/27 from the charity stripe.
“I told them na they just have to be tough. Tough players can go through whatever adversity. Kahit anong ibato i-absorb lang,” Ayo said about the game’s physicality.
“Malaki yung natutunan namin sa Davao kasi binugbog kami sa Davao. Pero kahit nangyari yun, naka-focus lang kami sa gameplan.”
Besides his 24 points, Mbala added 15 boards and four blocks in a spectacular outing. Teng added 24 points, five boards, three dimes, and two steals. Thomas Torres and Abu Tratter added 13 and 12 respectively.
For the Red Warriors, 16 players were brought into the game, with Alvin Pasaol the high-point man with 13 points. He also added seven boards to his statline. Edgar Charcos added ten points in the losing effort.
The Green Archers (B, 2-0) will next face the Mapua Cardinals on Thursday, May 19 at 5:00pm. The UE Red Warriors (B, 1-1) look to bounce back against the Lyceum Pirates on Wednesday, May 11 at 3:15pm.
The Scores:
DLSU (97) – Mbala 24, Teng 24, Torres 13, Tratter 12, Gob 6, Caracut 5, Montalbo 5, Melecio 4, Langston 4, Go 0.
UE (75) – Pasaol 13, Charcos 10, Batiller 8, Penuela 8, Manalang 7, De Leon 6, Palma 5, Acuno 4, Olayon 4, Poblete 3, Varilla 2, Derige 2, Gagate 2, Larupay 1, Armenion 0, Bartolome 0.
Quarterscores: 25-18, 49-36, 73-62, 97-75.
