La Salle stays in 3rd drops struggling FEU to 5th

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

De La Salle tightened its hold of the third spot after fending off Far Eastern University, 65-57, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Green Archers climbed to a 6-4 record to maintain their position in the ladder while the Tamaraws, who slipped to a 5-6 record, dropped to fifth, allowing University of the Philippines (5-5) to gain fourth place.

FEU was a picture of inconsistency during the fourth quarter failing to score a single field goal for almost six minutes and this allowed the Green Archers to build a 62-53 lead after Aljun Melecio’s three with more than a minute remaining.

Although Kib Montalbo’s numbers of seven points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals didn’t jump out of the page, La Salle head coach Louie Gonzalez said it was his captain that kept the team together.

“Throughout the game Kib was trying to put everybody on the same page,” said Gonzalez. “I give this game to him for guiding his teammates as a senior and he knows that this is his last year.”

“A win tonight was very important for us because it will really help in our campaign in getting to the Final Four.”

It was Justine Baltazar that led the Green Archers’ offense finishing with 15 points with six rebounds, and two blocks while frontcourt partner Santi Santillan had 12 points and 14 rebounds.

La salle also got a big boost from seldom-used big man Brandon Bates who finished with seven points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.

The returning Arvin Tolentino, who finished his two-game suspension, led the Tamaraws with 20 points and four rebounds.