The La Salle Green Archers outgunned the UST Growling Tigers, 92-80, even without injured point guard Jacob Cortez, in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Coming into the fourth quarter, UST was leading 61-57, but La Salle flipped the game with an 18-3 run to build an 11-point lead, 85-74, with 4:39 left behind Jcee Macalalag, Doy Dungo, Henry Agunanne, and Joaquin Tovera.
From there, the Green Archers never looked back.
“We’re happy with the win and thankful ako na nag-stick kami sa game plan,” said La Salle’s Macalalag. “Thankful din ako sa tiwala ng coaches and my teammates, especially si Jacob.”
Macalalag led the Green Archers with a career-high 28 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Dungo added a personal-best 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Tovera had 15 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals.
For UST, Amiel Acido finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Landyn Jumawan added 18 points, Mark Llemit had 15 points, rebounds, and 9 assists; Ice Danting chipped in 12; and Collins Akowe posted a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds.
La Salle goes for another win on Saturday, October 31, 6:00 p.m., when it faces the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Earlier that day at 2:30 p.m., UST will try to snap its two-game skid against the league-leading NU Bulldogs.
UP Extends Streak to Five With UE Dismantling
Earlier that day, the UP Fighting Maroons rolled past the UE Red Warriors, 101-70.
UP led from start to finish, but UE stayed within reach and cut the deficit to 11 late in the third quarter. The Fighting Maroons’ bench then took over in the fourth. Choi Palanca, Sean Franco, and LA Andres scored 14 points in a 17-2 run that pushed the lead to 87-61 with 6:27 left, and UP coasted to a 31-point win.
“I stayed ready lang po kasi kinakausap naman po ako palagi ni Coach Gold na maging ready sa 16-man lineup,” said Palanca, who made the most of his 10 minutes on the floor.
Veejay Pre led the Fighting Maroons with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Gani Stevens added 13 points and 5 rebounds, while Palanca chipped in 12 points and 4 rebounds.
For UE, Toper Lagat finished with 23 points, while Mo Tañedo contributed 11.
UP puts its five-game winning streak on the line against the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Wednesday, November 4, 5:00 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Earlier that day at 2:30 p.m., UE will look for its first win against the FEU Tamaraws.
