FILE–La Salle Green Archers in UAAP Season 85. – Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–The De La Salle Green Archers bounced back in a big way on Wednesday night, cutting the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers to pieces in an emphatic 83-63 win at the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
Deschon Winston executed another prolific outing, scoring 19 points in an all-around effort for the Green Archers that more than efficiently covered for the absence of Evan Nelle, who has been nursing a fever.
“I told them that we have to bounce back hard in this game. We fell short last game, we were not able to close it out, but we cannot dwell on that,’’ said La Salle head coach Derrick Pumaren.
The Archers responded positively from that stinging defeat against the UP Fighting Maroons as they took command from the get-go and were hardly threatened the rest of the way.
Cyrus Austria and Michael Phillips also delivered for the Archers as well as Kevin Quiambao, who had double-double figures of 11 points and 12 rebounds while Mark Nonoy, subbing for Nelle at the points, likewise didn’t disappoint.
“Without our main point guard, we were able to adjust well out there. We’re hoping to bring this resiliency in our succeeding games,’’ said Quiambao.
While they were superb in offense, the Archers defensive crackdown on Nic Cabanero was superior, limiting the high-scoring Growling Tiger to 10 points on five of 20 field goal shooting.
Paul Manalang and Adama Faye also pumped in 10 points while Miguel Pangilinan had 11 for the Growling Tigers, who split their first two assignments following a triumphant debut against the Adamson Falcons.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 83 — Winston 19, Austria 13, M. Phillips 11, Quiambao 11, Estacio 6, Abadam 6, B. Phillips 5, Nonoy 3, Blanco 3, Manuel 2, Nwankwo 2, Cortez 2, Escandor 0, Macalalag 0, Buensalida 0.
UST 63 — Pangilinan 11, Faye 10, Cabanero 10, Manalang 10, Garing 6, Lazarte 5, Escobido 4, Mantua 3, Calimag 3, Laure 1, Manaytay 0, Duremdes 0, Magdangal 0, Herrera 0, Gesalem 0.
Quarters: 30-21, 47-40, 65-46, 83-63.