BATTLE ROYALE
La Salle turned back University of the East with conviction on Wednesday night and joined a frenzied fight among five teams now chasing one of two twice-to-beat privileges in the Final Four in Season 88 of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
An 84-72 victory at Mall of Asia Arena was a far cry from the overtime win that the Green Archers chalked up against the Red Warriors in the first round, and it was their fourth straight win that gave them a 6-3, record like idle defending champion University of the Philippines going into their last five games.
Adamson University is also in the mix after conquering University of Santo Tomas in thrilling style earlier, 97-96 in overtime, as the Soaring Falcons dragged the Growling Tigers down into a two-way tie for fourth at 5-4.
National University is at the top at 6-2, and with a game more left in its schedule compared to the chasing pack, the Bulldogs have an inside track to a top-two finish.
Luis Pablo starred for La Salle with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Mike Phillips continued to be a monster in the shaded lane with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Jacob Cortez also joined the free-flowing scoring with 12 as the Archers continued to thrive despite missing two key cogs in Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan.
“We knew it was going to be challenging.,” La Salle coach Topex Robinson said. “We knew that team would give its best every time we played against them. Credit to the team, they always come out competitive as well.”
While climbing to a share of second is impressive considering his manpower woes, Robinson is actually not looking at where they stand.
“We don’t look at the competition and where we’re at,” he said. “We’re in our own race.”
John Abate’s 20-point effort was put to waste as UE remained winless after nine games. Precious Momowei finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Warriors have all but bowed out.
The Falcons, meanwhile, got the good from their guards in pinning a third straight loss on the slumping Tigers.
Adamson actually came back from eight points down with 30 seconds left in regulation, with Matthew Montebon scoring the Falcons’ last nine points that forged overtime at 89.
Needed to take shots
And that kind of desire was what made coach Nash Racela beam with pride.
“We’re developing grit,” Racela said. “It’s good that our players play for each other better because that’s something we always preach.”
“We were down and I knew not too much time was left, so when I saw the shots, I had to take them,” Montebon said after finishing with 19 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
However, Montebon wasn’t the only hero who shone for Adamson. In overtime, Ray Allen Torres and Matt Erolon took charge to seal the comeback win.
And it was Erolon who shared a shot of the game with Montebon.
UST held the 96-94 lead with 36 seconds left after three free throws from Collins Akowe, before Erolon drained the game-winner with 2.6 ticks left.
Akowe finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Mark Llemit accounted for 18 and 10, which still failed to help Santo Tomas snap an alarming skid.
