The De La Salle University Green Archers are now on a three-game winning streak after defeating the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 86-77, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Green Archers started the game hot, building a 52-36 lead at halftime. In the last two quarters of the game, the Growling Tigers played catch-up but ultimately failed, giving the victory to the Taft-based squad.

“We know how strong UST is right now. They are really playing tremendous basketball. We just made sure that we’re gonna be coming in confident knowing we prepared for whatever UST will throw at us,” said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson.

Jc Macalalag led the Green Archers with 18 points, while Jacob Cortez tallied 12 points and four assists. Vhoris Marasigan and Earl Abadam added 10 points apiece.

For the Growling Tigers, Collins Akowe posted another double-double performance of 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Gelo Crisostomo finished the game with 15 points and eight rebounds. Mark Llemit contributed 13 points and five rebounds, while Nic Cabañero had 12 points.

Earlier that day, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons barely escaped the still winless University of the East Red Warriors, 56-53.

In the last three minutes of the game, UE took its first — and only — lead, 50-49. Unfortunately for them, the Soaring Falcons responded quickly, grabbing back the lead, 54-50, with 1:42 minutes left.

“We should be happy kung nasaan kami, only becuase hindi pa kami patay. Buhay pa and our head is above water, ‘yun lang naman ‘yung gusto mo, e, na you just want to have a chance to move forward. Today was not that nice, buti na lang nakakuha kami ng panalo,” said Soaring Falcons head coach Nash Racela.

Cedrick Manzano was the lone Soaring Falcon to score in double digits, finishing the game with a double-double performance of 11 points and 10 rebounds. Emmanuel Anabo, Anthony Fransman, and John Erolon combined for 22 points.

For the Red Warriors, John Abate finished the game with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Precious Momowei also had a double-double performance of 15 points and 14 rebounds.

18

The key to the third-straight victory of the De La Salle University Green Archers was none other than Jc Macalalag, who posted his career-high of 18 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Macalalag scored 14 points in the first two quarters of the game.

“Nag-work talaga kami together kasi kitang-kita naman sa preparations namin heading into this game na ‘yung intensity and focus during trainings, nandoon. Kaya alam mo ‘yon, masarap lang sa pakiramdam na ‘yung mga kasama mo heading into this game, prepared and willing ibigay lahat ng kaya nila,” he said after the game.

“I think ‘yun ‘yung one of the factors kaya maganda ‘yung start namin sa first half and kung bakit na-sustain namin ‘yung lead into the second half.”

Coincidentally, their victory against the Growling Tigers was the first time in three games that Macalalag did not wear his mask. Early in the season, he had a nose injury that required him to wear a protective mask in their last three games.

During the games he wore a protective mask, his numbers dipped to just 3.33 points, two rebounds, and 1.33 assists per game. Macalalag admitted that it bothered him, especially when shooting.

“Siguro simula nung sinuot ko ‘yung mask, hindi siya naging challenge sa akin, pero tine-take ko rin siya as a blessing din. Last week kasi during training, tinry ko lang na hindi na mag-mask. Medyo okay naman ‘yung preparations so heading into this game, ‘yung mindset ko ay why not i-try ko rin sa game na wala munang mask?

“Thankful ako na ganito ‘yung kinalabasan ng game namin and ‘yung preparation na binigay namin all throughout this week,” he ended.

3

In his 22 minutes inside the court, Austin Ronzone only scored three points, but it came at the right time, especially when the Soaring Falcons were trailing by 1, 49-50, with 2:25 minutes remaining.

However, Ronzone deflected the credit and downplayed his shot, since the road to them being included in the final four is still tough.

“It felt great, you know? Regardless of the score, I’m just happy we won the game. We stuck with it because we were 1-4 earlier and it felt bad, but we stuck with the offense, trusted the coaches to come back to the top,” he said after the game.

Now in his final year with the Soaring Falcons, Ronzone, who played for three years for Arizona State University, expressed his feelings after having experience playing in the UAAP.

“I think athleticism and sizes are very different compared to the US. I like the skill level and physicality here. I think both are really great, though. Both are really hard for sure. I love the atmosphere, I love playing every game here. I’m gonna miss it for sure,” he expressed.

“(They’re) very different, but I love it. I love the culture, I love the physicality here. I think it’s great. I love it here.”

In their game against the Growling Tigers, Ronzone got the ire of Nic Cabañero after making an uncontested layup when they knew they already won the game before the buzzer rang.

“I meant no disrespect to UST. I think they’re great players, all of them. For me, though, in my mindset, it’s gonna be a close series. We’re all tied in the standings. I thought that point mattered,” he said.

“I meant no disrespect. I wasn’t even thinking about them when I shot the lay-up, but I could see why they would be made for sure.”