La Salle vs University of the East. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
LA SALLE has consistently put on a show this season. This time, though, coach Aldin Ayo had his own sideline, well, spectacle.
But at what price? The Green Archers may have to do without Ayo when they go for a first-round sweep against rival Ateneo after the new mentor got thrown out in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Ayo had saw temper get the better of him in the Archers’ 84-78 victory over the winless Warriors.
That could merit a suspension for Sunday—not that it worries his squad.
“It’s going to be the same thing,” said La Salle big man Prince Rivero. “He may not be there physically, but still, he’s going to be with us during the preparation. We’re going to stick to our system and prepare for the Ateneo game.”
With just 72 seconds left in the first half, Ayo complained about a non-call on what looked like a foul by UE’s Will Bartolome on La Salle guard Thomas Torres.
And to stress his point that game officials need to see better, Ayo went to the baseline and tried to give the referee a pair of glasses.
“We wouldn’t get a boost if not for what he did,” Rivero added. “He was just protecting us from the circumstances and what’s happening inside the court.”
Minus Ayo, the Archers went through a scare against the Warriors before Rivero (11 points, all in the second half, plus eight rebounds) and Andrei Caracut (nine points, all in the fourth quarter) took charge.
But they’re still the favorite going into the clash of rivals—but Ateneo isn’t fazed.
“There’s no guarantee the weaker team will come out losing [in an Ateneo-La Salle match]” said coach Sandy Arespacochaga after the Eagles clobbered University of the Philippines, 79-64, for solo second.
The scores:
First Game
ATENEO 79—Ravena 22, Ikeh 14, Asistio 10, Mi. Nieto 7, Tolentino 7, Babilonia 2, Porter 2, Go 0, Ildefonso 0, Mendoza 0.
UP 64—Desiderio 25, Manuel 17, Lim 7, Moralde 6, Dario 4, Espanola 3, Prado 2, Asilum 0, Gomez de Liano 0, Harris 0, Jaboneta 0, Longa 0, Romero 0, Vito 0, Webb 0.
Quarters: 13-17, 38-29, 58-54, 79-64
Second Game
LA SALLE 84—Mbala 19, Baltazar 14, P. Rivero 11, Montalbo 9, Caracut 9, Teng 7, Melecio 5, Torres 4, Go 4, Perkins 2, Tratter 0, R. Rivero 0, Paraiso 0.
UE 78—Pasaol 22, Batiller 13, Derige 8, Varilla 8, Manalang 7, Palma 7, Bartolome 4, De Leon 4, Penuela 4, Charcos 1, Gagate 0, Olayon 0, Abanto 0, Armenion 0, Acuno 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 44-30, 62-55, 84-78