MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) The De La Salle University Green Archers are one win away from sweeping the first round of the UAAP Season 79 tournament after a 84-78 victory over the University of the East (UE) on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Green Archers overcame the ejection of head coach Aldin Ayo late in the first half to secure their sixth consecutive victory of the tournament ahead of a marquee showdown against rival Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday.
It was far from a comfortable win for La Salle, however, as UE rallied from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to come as close as three points, 78-81, with still 16 seconds left to play.
"During the crisis of the game, we stuck together as a team, we stuck to the system, and we followed the instructions from the coaches," said La Salle forward Prince Rivero, who had 11 points and eight rebounds in just 10 minutes of action.
"It was tough that Coach Aldin was thrown out of the game, but nawala man si Coach Aldin, he's there with us throughout the games and still giving instructions," he added.
Ben Mbala had 19 points, making four of his nine shots and 11 of 17 free throws, while adding 17 rebounds and three turnovers in another superb outing for the Green Archers. Rookie big man Justine Baltazar had 14 points and nine rebounds of his own, as La Salle overwhelmed UE on the glass, 67-44.
La Salle led by as much as 18 points in the contest, but the Red Warriors clawed their way back in the third quarter behind Alvin Pasaol, and were down just by seven, 55-62, heading into the fourth quarter.
The Green Archers restored their double-digit lead, 72-58, thanks to Rivero, rookie Aljun Melecio and Andrei Caracut, but again the Red Warriors simply refused to fold.
UE made La Salle uncomfortable with its physical play on both ends and pressured the Green Archers into turnovers, while Pasaol and Philip Manalang did the heavy lifting on offense. Pasaol's free throws with 1:39 left made it a four-point game, 74-78, and forced La Salle to sue for time.
The Red Warriors got another stop when Paul Varilla broke up an alley-oop play for Mbala, but blew a chance of their own when Philip Manalang stepped out of bounds after collaring an offensive rebound.
In La Salle's next possession, Caracut, the reigning Rookie of the Year, drained a booming three-pointer that gave them more breathing room at 81-74 with just 1:01 left.
UE again squandered an opportunity when Manalang turned the ball over in their next possession, but a lay-up by Palma and a jumper by Manalang made it a three-point game, 78-81, with still 16.2 seconds left.
Time ran out on UE's comeback attempt, however, with Kib Montalbo and Rivero icing the game at the line.
"Sinasabi naman ni Coach Aldin sa team na every time na nanalo kami, mas magiging mahirap at walang magiging madali sa journey," said assistant coach Louie Gonzales, who called the shots from the bench after Ayo was ejected.
Despite Ayo's ejection, La Salle still entered the half with a 44-30 advantage. But they were outscored 25-18 in the third period, and UE again refused to fold despite trailing by 12 early in the fourth quarter, paving the way for the testy finish.
Pasaol finished with 22 points and six rebounds in the loss, while Bonbon Batiller had 13 points and three assists before fouling out with still 4:17 left to play.
The scores:
DLSU 84 – Mbala 19, Baltazar 14, Rivero P 11, Montalbo 9, Caracut 9, Teng 7, Melecio 5, Torres 4, Go 4, Perkins 2, Tratter 0, Paraiso 0, Rivero R 0
UE 78 – Pasaol 22, Batiller 13, Varilla 8, Derige 8, Manalang 7, Palma 7, De Leon 4, Bartolome 4, Penuela 4, Charcos 1, Gagate 0, Olayon 0, Abanto 0, Armenion 0, Acuno 0
Quarter scores: 25-15, 44-30, 62-55, 84-78
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