The La Salle Green Archers, despite playing undermanned, stood above the pressure to deal the hot-shooting UST Growling Tigers a 92-80 loss on Sunday, October 25, at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym as action on the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament continues to ramp up.
Third-year forward Doy Dungo delivered when his team needed him most, making the most of his 29 minutes of action by pouring in a career-best 24 points built on four three-pointers, while adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
The 6-foot-3 shooter underscored the importance of staying composed despite missing key pieces on the roster and allowing the Tigers to knock down a historic 17 threes, the most in team history.
“Inalis lang namin ‘yung pressure namin sa papadating na game na ‘to. Alam namin na wala ‘yung teammates namin like sina Jacob [Cortez] at Lebron [Daep]… Naging composed lang kami, kahit nakakapag-run ‘yung UST kanina, nag-stay together lang kami sa court,” Dungo said postgame.
Dungo Lauds Team Veterans and Coaches
Dungo also credited Jacob Cortez’s presence as a vocal leader in guiding the Taft-based squad to a 5-4 record, bringing them back into playoff contention. Cortez, La Salle’s main playmaker and champion point guard, missed the game due to a hyperextended right knee, which he sustained in the Green Archers’ 97-88 overtime win over the UE Red Warriors in the game prior.
“Papunta pa lang ng game namin dito, alam namin kung ano yung game plan namin. Alam namin na wala si Jacob… Aminin naman natin siya yung captain ng offense namin… Lagi niya lang kami kinakausap kanina kung ano ‘yung mga puwede naming gawin sa loob,” Dungo explained.
The Gilas 3×3 standout also lauded the coaching staff for halting UST’s shooting stroke, as the Green Archers pulled away in the final quarter by sparking an 18-1 blitz to seal the victory.
“Credits din sa mga coaches namin kasi yung game plan namin. ‘Di naman siya totally perfect, pero na-limit namin yung kalaban namin sa gusto nilang gawin,” he added.
Dungo and La Salle will look to keep their Round 2 record unblemished when they face their rivals, the Ateneo Blue Eagles, on Saturday, October 31, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
