Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Aljun Melecio finds touch as La Salle continues dominance over UE


After an uncharacteristic first two games, Aljun Melecio finally heated up for the De La Salle University Green Archers, leading his team’s 82-72 romp of the University of the East Red Warriors, Sunday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

“Before the game, I told them that this is a good game for us. Pareho kaming All-Filipino eh. I told them that let’s try to learn from this one,” said first-year Green Archers head coach Louie Gonzalez.

With the win, La Salle go up to 2-1 in the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball tournament, creating a three-way logjam with the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the FEU Tamaraws for second. In addition, the Green Archers extended their streak against the Red Warriors to seven games, last tasting defeat against UE back in September 10, 2014.

And it was Melecio who provided the spark that lit a fire under the Green Archers.

Shooting just 2-for-16 from downtown in their first two games, the third-year sniper knocked down four of his six triple attempts right in the first half. He finished with 16 points, spiked by five three-pointers.

Already owning a 12-point lead in the third canto, the Green Archers continued to surge in the third frame and early in the final frame behind Mark Dyke and Encho Serrano. La Salle would lead by as much as 20 points, 57-37, late in the third quarter.

“I told Mark Dyke and Encho… I need to prepare them for our next three games. Eto na lang yung chance ko na mabigyan ng tsansa na,” added Gonzalez.

#ReadMore  George Pascua calls on remaining FEU Lady Tamaraws to play for injured teammates

However, after limiting Pasaol to just five points in the first three quarters, the Green Archers let their guards down.

“Hindi lang ako naging masaya nung dulo. We were controlling the first three quarters. We were able to limit Alvin tapos pumutok siya nung dulo,” rued Gonzalez.

Pasaol scored 14 of the last 16 UE points to close out the game. Thankfully, Justin Baltazar was there to counter every bucket.

“I really cannot afford meltdowns, especially in the last minute. We need to finish games strong. Wala kaming karapatan mawalan ng bola. That’s not the team that we want,” asserted Gonzalez.

Melecio’s batchmate Baltazar continued his stellar start to the season as well, picking up another double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds to go along with three blocks.

UE have lost all three of their games by double-digit margins.

Pasaol ended up finishing with 22 points, while Jason Varilla and Philip Manalang chipped in 14 and 11 markers respectively.

La Salle look to make it three in a row when they face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Sunday, September 30, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. UE, on the other hand, will have a tough assignment on Wednesday, September 26, when they take on the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles at the Filoil Flying V Centre.


The Scores:

DLSU 82 – Baltazar 16, Melecio 16, Serrano 11, Go 10, Caracut 9, Santillan 6, Dyke 5, Bates 3, Manuel 2, Montalbo 2, Corteza 2, Capacio 0

UE 72 – Pasaol 22, Varilla 14, Manalang 11, Bartolome 6, Maloles 5, Cullar 4, Gallardo 4, Acuno 2, Strait 2, Lacap 2, Antiporda 0, Beltran 0, Guion 0

#ReadMore  UAAP Men's Basketball: JD Cagulangan, UP overpower UE to remain unbeaten

Quarterscores: 21-14, 39-27, 59-45, 82-72

Written By


You May Also Like

AU

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines flexed its might in the quarterfinals of the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup presented by...

AdU

De La Salle University completed a clean sweep of the elimination round, while defending UAAP champion University of the Philippines wrapped up with back-to-back...

Basketball

De La Salle University erupted for a scorching third quarter to keep its unbeaten streak alive, while National University locked in the final UAAP...

AdU

La Salle kept its immaculate record intact in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, steamrolling Far Eastern...

Basketball

De La Salle University is doubling down on its trust in head coach Topex Robinson. Robinson has signed a fresh three-year extension that will...

AU

University of Santo Tomas became the first team from the UAAP Group to clinch a playoff berth in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil...

Basketball

University of the East has added a new weapon to its backcourt in hopes of filling the void left by Rainer Maga ahead of...

Basketball

Jacob Cortez was having himself a game against National University last Wednesday in the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup. The transferee from...

Advertisement