MANILA, Philippines–Jamie Malonzo exploded for 34 points in just 26 minutes as La Salle closed out UAAP Season 82 on a winning note, after drubbing Adamson, 89-63, Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Three days after their heartbreaking loss to University of the Philippines that dimmed their hopes of reaching the Final Four, the Green Archers vented their ire on the Falcons with Malonzo nailing seven treys on his way to a season-high output.
Playing in his one and only season for the Archers, the 6-foot-7 Malonzo also grabbed 12 rebounds as La Salle took the fight out of Adamson by racing to a 21-point lead at the break.
The onslaught continued in the second half for the Archers, who led by as many as 30 points.
Justine Baltazar also finished with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Andrei Caracut, who was held scoreless in the loss to UP, also finished with 14 points, while issuing six assists.
Caracut was playing his final game for La Salle, which will also lose James Laput and Keyshawn Meeker. Laput and Meeker saw limited action this season due to injuries.
The Archers finished the season with a 7-7 record as they missed out on the Final Four for the second straight season. La Salle last won the crown in Season 79 with a team led by Ben Mbala.
Rookie AP Manlapaz had 15 points, while Jerom Lastimosa chipped in 10 for the Falcons, who closed out their campaign with a 4-10, their worst record since Franz Pumaren took the job three seasons ago.
The game was also the last for Adamson stalwarts Val Chauca, Simon Camacho, Kristian Bernardo and Egie Mojica.
LA SALLE 89 – Malonzo 34, Baltazar 14, Caracut 14, Bartlett 7, Serrano 7, Hill 5, Melecio 3, Laput 3, Lojera 2, Bates 0, Cu 0, Escandor 0, Lim 0, Manuel 0
ADAMSON 63 – Manlapaz 15, Lastimosa 10, Mojica 9, Douanga 6, Ahanmisi 5, Chauca 4, Fermin 4, Sabandal 3, Zaldivar 3, Camacho 2, Yerro 2, Bernardo 0, Capulong 0, Flowers 0, Magbuhos 0, Orquez 0
QUARTER SCORES: 25-12, 50-29, 68-40, 89-63