Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
La Salle barely escaped a tough Adamson stand, 86-79, to stay unbeaten in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Ben Mbala captained La Salle with 18 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks, two assists, and two steals as the Taft crew escaped another tough test to stay on top at 8-0.
Ricci Rivero unloaded 11 of his 14 markers in the third frame, where his three gave the Green Archers their biggest lead at 17, 59-42 at the 4:05 mark. He also had five boards and five assists.
Aljun Melecio also had 11 points in a 3-of-9 shooting from threes.
“Close game. But given na ganoon yung sitwasyon, di kami aalis sa sistema namin. Gusto namin yung ganung pace palagi. Yung mga ganung klaseng laro, doon namin gusto namin ipasok yung pagiging spontaneous ng mga bata. We allow them to play basketball, make decisions, and go with the flow,” said coach Aldin Ayo as he allowed his wards to make their moves down the stretch.
Fortunately for him, La Salle responded in a big way, with Kib Montalbo striking in the final minute, draining the big three from the left wing to douse the Falcons’ rally and push the Green Archers to an 84-79 advantage with 46.7 ticks to play.
“Pag ganoong sitwasyon, pag sinubukan pa namin mag-control, baka mawala ang laro ng mga bata. Good thing they responded and played good basketball,” said Ayo.
Jerrick Ahanmisi provided the boost for Adamson as it fought back from a 73-60 deficit in the fourth quarter with an 18-7 blast to trim the lead to as low as two, 80-78 with 1:51 to play.
Unfortunately, the Falcons crumbled in the endgame and fell to a 4-4 record.
Ahanmisi topped Adamson with 27 points on a 4-of-7 shooting from threes, to go with his seven rebounds.
Papi Sarr got 13 markers and six boards, while Sean Manganti had 12 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
The scores:
LA SALLE 86 – Mbala 18, Rivero 14, Melecio 11, Torres 9, Montalbo 8, Tratter 7, Perkins 5, Caracut 4, Baltazar 4, Paraiso 2, Dyke 2, Sargent 2, Go 0.
ADAMSON 79 – Ahanmisi 27, Sarr 13, Manganti 12, Espeleta 9, Bernardo 6, Manalang 3, Ochea 3, Mustre 3, Ng 3, Paranada 0, Camacho 0, Pasturan 0, Ballon 0, Tungcab 0, Barrera 0, Chua 0.
Quarters: 17-19, 44-33, 66-55, 86-79