Despite absorbing multiple injuries to key pieces, the La Salle Green Archers still found a way to dispatch the late rally of the UE Red Warriors, pulling away in an overtime slugfest, 97-88, on Wednesday, October 21, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
With Jacob Cortez having to leave the game early after hyperextending his knee in the second quarter, as well as JC Macalalag and Vhoris Marasigan exiting in overtime after sustaining head injuries, senior wing Mason Amos uplifted the Taft-based squad with a timely scoring spark to return to the .500 mark to start the second round of the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basktball Tournament.
The Fil-Aussie forward chipped in a near double-double with 17 points and 9 boards on an efficient 54% shooting from the field to help La Salle notch its first win of the second round. Later, he underscored the importance of stepping up amid the absence of Cortez.
“Just trying to provide more offensive firepower, especially when Jacob got out, I just gotta help the team as best as I can,” Amos told Rebanse. “Also staying aggressive, the more aggressive I am, good things are bound to happen.”
Amos Looks to Boost La Salle as College Career Nears End
Amos admitted it has been a tough stretch for the veterans throughout the season, but he remains poised to give La Salle a fighting chance for back-to-back titles despite facing multiple powerhouse squads.
“We got a lot to learn, we have a lot of young guns on the team, so we just gotta bring them on board. Our veterans, we’ve had a bit of a struggle this year,” Amos explained. “Just picking each other up, especially during this Round 2, where everyone can win at any time,” he added.
Now playing in his final year, Amos looks to enjoy his final games in the league following a fluctuating college career while playing for rival schools, La Salle and Ateneo Blue Eagles.
“Just enjoying the moment of the UAAP, I said this when I came in as a rookie. Just enjoying everything that it has to offer. The crowd’s amazing, the community’s amazing,” the 6-foot-7 wing said.
Amos and the Green Archers will look to build on the victory over UE when they take on the UST Growling Tigers on Sunday, October 25, at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.
