La Salle’s Schonny Winston. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–La Salle kept Adamson on a tight leash in the first three quarters before letting loose its scorers in the final period to prevail, 64-51, and secure outright entry to the Final Four of the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball at Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday.
Deschon Winston scored all 19 of his points in the second half for the Archers who were dragged to a see-saw battle with the Falcons in the defense-oriented, low-scoring game. Kurt Lojera came off the bench with 10 points for La Salle.
But while La Salle had the Fil-American guards to tip the balance, Adamson ran out of scoring options, giving the Archers their eighth victory in 13 games, well beyond reach of the Falcons who fell to their second straight defeat for 5-8.
Jerom Lastimosa managed to score 11 points for the Falcons whose defensive might far outweighed their scoring threat.
At 43-all after three quarters, the Archers applied their own version of pressing defense, limiting the Falcons to just eight markers in the payoff period while unloading 21 points.
The Scores
DLSU 64 — Winston 19, Nelle 11, Lojera 10, Austria 6, Baltazar 6, M. Phillips 4, Nwankwo 4, Manuel 2, B. Phillips 2, Nonoy 0.
Adamson 51 — Lastimosa 11, Peromingan 11, Sabandal 8, Zaldivar 7, Douanga 6, Manzano 4, Hanapi 4, Magbuhos 0, Colonia 0, Yerro 0, Barasi 0, Fuentebella 0, Maata 0, Jaymalin 0.
Quarters: 12-13, 27-26, 43-43, 64-51.