For the first time since Game Two of the UAAP Season 80 Finals, De La Salle University ended up victorious over archrival Ateneo de Manila University.
Behind the midrange mastery of Deschon Winston, the swag of Evan Nelle, and the blue-collar work of Raven Cortez, Kevin Quiambao, and Mike Phillips, the Green Archers took the Blue Eagles down, 83-78, to take their second win in the Season 84 Men’s Basketball tournament, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“The boys really worked hard. They believed they can beat Ateneo. Even though we were down, we were able to regroup in the second quarter,” said La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren. “Hats off to my guys I told them to never doubt that we can match up against Ateneo.”
Trailing by three, La Salle went on a blistering run capped by Schonny Winston’s jumper to take a six-point lead with 1:42 left, 79-73.
Forthsky Padrigao then made a triple to pull Ateneo within three before Winston answered with another jumper, 81-76, with 1:19 to go.
Kai Ballungay scored a deuce to move within three anew but the Blue Eagles failed to convert in the ensuing possessions as Evan Nelle iced the game from the line.
Winston unloaded 25 points to go with five rebounds, six assists, and two steals for the Green Archers.
Nelle chimed in 10 points while Cortez was efficient in his 11 minutes with eight points and two blocks.
Quiambao got seven points with six rebounds and two steals while Phillips added 11 rebounds and six points.
Besides ending its skid to their tormentors, La Salle improved to 2-1, joining National University and Ateneo for joint second.
Ange Kouame had 22 points, but none of those came in the fourth frame, along with 12 rebounds and four blocks, while Ballungay had his best game with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Padrigao shot poorly from the field, going 2-of-18 to finish with just seven points.
The Green Archers will look to maintain momentum against University of the East on Wednesday, while the Blue Eagles will go for bounce back against University of Santo Tomas.
The Scores:
DLSU 83 – Winston 25, Nelle 10, Cortez 8, Quiambao 7, Abadam 7, M. Phillips 6, Austria 6, B. Phillips 6, Estacio 5, Nwankwo 3, Nonoy 0, Manuel 0.
Ateneo 78 – Kouame 22, Ballungay 19, Andrade 8, Ildefonso 7, Padrigao 7, Gomez 5, Lazaro 4, Garcia 3, Chiu 2, Koon 1, Daves 0, Quitevis 0.
Quarterscores: 18-28, 46-47, 64-62, 83-78.
