Aljun Melecio waxed hot when it mattered the most, draining five triples in the fourth quarter to power La Salle to a 96-83 victory over Perpetual Help on Friday in the 12th FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup at FilOil Flying V Centre.
Melecio’s scoring spree allowed the Green Archers to overturn a seven-point deficit entering the final period and coast to their third straight victory in as many games.
Kim Aurin tried to rescue the Altas, fueling a last stand that pushed his school to within five, 81-76, but La Salle stepped on the gas with their defense keying a 17-0 run that iced the outcome.
“We lost our rhythm at the start,” coach Louie Gonzalez admitted. “The team is not even half of what we want to be by the UAAP season but the good thing is that the players have surrendered themselves to learning the system.”
La Salle fell behind after missing all its field goal attempts in the final five minutes before the fourth. But Melecio had 17 of his team-high 27 points in that period to spark the turnaround.
Arellano University picked up its second win in three games after crushing Lyceum, 93-76, in the earlier game.
Michael Canete poured 11 of his 17 points in the first half to fuel the Chiefs’ breakaway and added 12 rebounds and three steals.
“It is a big deal for us to win against Lyceum because it gives us an indication of where we are right now as the NCAA draws nearer,” Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera said.