After a legendary first round outing, defending champions De La Salle University Green Archers did not let up this time around, scoring a lopsided 99-78 victory over the University of the East Red Warriors, Wednesday afternoon.
With a 9-2 slate, the Green Archers clinch the second Final Four slot for the season.
“Sabi ni coach [Aldin Ayo] let’s not thnk ahead, one game at a time lang,” said DLSU’s sophomore swing man Ricci Rivero, who finished the game with 13 points, six rebounds, three assists, and four steals, “Yung team kasi namin malakas lang pag nag-follow kami sa system, kailangan as one kami kasi dun kami hindi nahihirapan.”
Same could not be said about UE. The Red Warriors were sent to the brink of elimination, dropping to a 3-8 record.
Behind reigning MVP Ben Mbala, La Salle had a strong 14-4 start. Moreover, the Cameroonian student-athlete also came up big on the defensive end, defending Alvin Pasaol for the majority of the game.
Mbala finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds in just 24 mintues of game time. However, the 23-year-old big man was slapped with his first-ever technical foul in the UAAP after “throwing” the ball at Philip Manalang as he was about to go out of bounds with 4:31 left in the first half.
On the other hand, Pasaol — who had finished with 49 points in UE’s 100-106 loss to La Salle last October 4 — shot just 8-for-19 from the field for 23 points while grabbing nine rebounds.
Sophomore center Justine Baltazar also stood out in the contest despite getting into foul trouble. The former NU Bullpup went a perfect 6-for-6 from the field for 13 points. Moreover, his sole triple of the contest gave La Salle a game-high 27-point lead, 74-47, with 2:25 remaining in the third frame.
“Sinasabi lagi sa akin ni coach na mag-ready lang ako,” shared Baltazar, “Hindi naman puwedeng first to fourth si Ben lang lagi maglalaro.”
The Green Archers’ lead would only go to as low as 14 points, 88-74, with 2:46 left before Ricci Rivero and Ben Mbala were able to stop UE’s momentum and restore order.
“Madalas palaging up sa start then nag-sloslow down kami sa second half. Every game dapat mag-earn kami ng experience,” added Rivero.
Leonard Santillan picked up another double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Mark Olayon finished with 18 points and dished out seven assists for UE, but the Red Warriors bench was nowhere to be found in the contest, combining for just 25 points.
La Salle will next face the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers on Sunday, October 29, at 2:00pm. UE, on the other hand, look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they take on the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Saturday, October 28, at 2:00pm. Both games will be played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Scores:
DLSU (99) – Mbala 25, Santillan 14, Rivero R 13, Baltazar 13, Melecio 7, Tratter 6, Montalbo 5, Rivero P 4, Caracut 3, Go 3, Gonzales 3, Paraiso 2, Tero 1, Capacio 0.
UE (78) – Pasaol 23, Olayon 18, Derige 9, Varilla 8, Maloles 6, Acuno 6, Cullar 4, Bartolome 2, Cruz 2, Manalang 0, Conner 0, Gagate 0.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 53-34, 77-55, 99-78.
