La Salle sends Adamson packing
Revenge was served cold by La Salle.
The Green Archers got back at Adamson on Sunday, then dealt their first-round tormentor a little extra hurt by eliminating the Falcons from Final Four contention with an 84-69 rout in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Luis Pablo scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half as La Salle raced to a commanding 48-26 halftime lead and never looked back.
Pablo also grabbed seven rebounds, while Jacob Cortez, playing just his second game since returning from injury, finished with 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting, four rebounds and four steals.
The victory lifted La Salle to 7-5, tying Far Eastern University for third place and strengthening its bid for a Final Four berth.
It also gave the Green Archers a measure of revenge against the Soaring Falcons, who dealt them a 63-60 defeat in the first round.
“At halftime, we just reminded the players that we should be vigilant because Adamson’s main scorers were not able to score in the first half,” La Salle assistant coach Oliver Bunyi said.
“The players told us, ‘Coach, we’re going to make sure those key players won’t be able to get their points.’”
Although Adamson found more offensive opportunities in the third quarter, La Salle maintained its scoring pace to preserve a comfortable lead until the final buzzer.
JC Macalalag contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, while rookie Joaquin Tovera added 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.
UP next
The Green Archers will next face University of the Philippines in a rematch of last season’s Finals on Nov. 22 at the same venue.
Adamson, meanwhile, dropped to 5-8 and missed the Final Four for the second consecutive season.
The Soaring Falcons will close their campaign against University of Santo Tomas on Nov. 25 at Mall of Asia Arena, with an opportunity to blow up the Growling Tigers’ own semifinal aspirations.
Ray Allen Torres paced Adamson with 14 points, including 12 in the second half, while Manu Anabo also scored 14.
Monty Montebon, held scoreless in the first half, finished with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists. Noah Pacquiao made three 3-pointers for nine points.
Precious Jonah struggled against La Salle’s defense, managing just two points on two field-goal attempts, three rebounds and three turnovers in nearly 22 minutes.
