La Salle’s Ben Mbala. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
La Salle continued its dominance in the UAAP Season 79 Seniors’ Basketball Tournament, taking down Adamson University, 91-75, Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Aldin Ayo’s boys of mayhem chalked up their fifth straight win sans a loss while the Soaring Falcons dipped to a 3-2 record.
The Green Archers banked on a strong second quarter as they outscored the Falcons, 27-17, to establish their momentum.
Ayo said he relished the team’s matchup against Adamson, a group he said has an incredible structure and system.
“Gusto ko ganung sistema ng kalaban, they are disciplined, structured. Pasok sa sistema ko na panggulo,” said Ayo whose team has put a premium on defense. “Hinigpitan namin depensa especially sa backcourt and we executed on defense.”
La Salle limited Adamson to a 22-of-66 (33%) shooting from the field while also outrebounding the Falcons, 54-32.
Ben Mbala once again produced a double-double with a 21-point, 16-rebound performance while Jeron Teng added 15 points.
La Salle rookie Aljun Melecio also finished with double digits for the Green Archers with 13 points in 11 minutes while Kib Montalbo filled up the stat sheets with 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Jerrick Ahanmisi carried Adamson with 22 points while Papi Sarr finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
The Scores
DLSU 91 – Mbala 21, Teng 15, Melecio 13, Montalbo 12, Torres 11, Baltazar 7, Tratter 6, Go 2, Sargent 2, Rivero R 2, Caracut 0
ADAMSON 75 – Ahanmisi 22, Manalang 15, Sarr 9, Pasturan 9, Manganti 6, Tungcab 5, Espeleta 2, Ochea 1, Mustre 1, Ng 0, Bernardo 0, Chua 0, Camacho 0
Quarters: 22-17, 49-34, 66-52, 91-75