Once again, it was experience and familiarity that prevailed over talent.
Behind the leadership of Kib Montalbo, the De La Salle University Green Archers clawed back from 20 down before taking over late to take a 91-72 win, over the much-celebrated 23 for 2023 Gilas Pilipinas Cadets, Friday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
This is La Salle’s second win in as many games in Group A of the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, presented by Chooks-to-Go. The Cadets, on the other hand, dropped to 0-2.
“Siyempre, malaking opportunity talaga. Malaking test ang National Team,” said first-year La Salle head coach Louie Gonzalez. “Kapag National Team, best of the best eh. Siguro yung sitwasyon na yun, kelangan wag umalis sa ginagawa.”
And it was Montalbo who inspired La Salle’s comeback.
Behind the strong start of Juan Gomez de Liano, Kobe Paras, and Arvin Tolentino, Gilas held a 34-14 lead in the second frame. Santi Santillan and Taane Samuel then fought back, cutting the lead to just nine entering the second half.
“Lagi naman eh. Pero mino-motivate ako ng teammates ko eh,” Montalbo shared about his aggression in the contest. “The big lead was because we were relaxed in the first half.”
The backcourt duo of Montalbo and Aljun Melecio continued the momentum in the third quarter. A hook shot by Justine Baltazar knotted the contest 64-all with 40 ticks remaining.
Mayhem then ensued in the final frame.
A dunk by Kobe Paras with 7:33 left tied the game at 71-all. La Salle then went on a 20-1 run with Montalbo scoring 12 points to close out the game — all coming from downtown.
Montalbo finished the game with 25 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals. Melecio had 18 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
Paras led Gilas with 19 points, while De Liano and Arvin Tolentino had 14 markers each.
Former Green Archer Ricci Rivero went just 2-of-8 from the field for six points.
La Salle will next face the Perpetual Altas on Friday, May 4. Gilas, on the other hand, looks to avoid a 0-3 hole when it takes on the San Beda Red Lions on Sunday, April 29.
The Scores:
DLSU (91) — Montalbo 25, Melecio 18, Samuel 16, Santillan 10, Baltazar 6, Go 6, Dyke 4, Corteza 2, Tolentino, Capacio 2, Bates 0, Herrera 0.
Gilas (72) — Paras 19, Gomez de Liano 14, Tolentino Ar 14, Tratter 8, Rivero Ri 6, Tolentino Vi 3, Ambohot 3, Desiderio 3, Gozum 2, Alejandro 1, Rivero Pr, Tuffin 0, Mocon 0, Tamayo 0.
Quarterscores: 14-27, 39-47, 66-65, 91-72.
