After losing to University of the Philippines last Saturday, 98-87, the De La Salle University bounced back and pounced on the University of Santo Tomas, 115-86 on Saturday in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Green Archers remained in second seed with a 4-1 card behind Ateneo Universtiy, while the Growling Tigers were handed sixth consecutive loss, their worst-ever start in the tournament since the 1993-1994 season.
“We were very eager, because we were disappointed after that game against UP. We needed to get back on track,” said Ben Mbala.
La Salle were off to a hot start and kept a comfortable 18-point lead, 60-42, by the end of the first half. UST could only cut the deficit to as low as 17 points, 90-73, in the final frame, while La Salle extended their lead to as much as 31 points, 115-84, after a Ricci River layup.
UST is no stranger to the 29-point beating after last season, where La Salle gave them a 43-point loss.
Even without key player Aljun Melecio, who is suffering from a urinary tract infection, La Salle was able to power through and forced UST to commit 35 turnovers that led to 37 points for La Salle.
“We played unselfish basketball, I think we had 26 assists. Sobrang aggressive namin and we pushed the pace, which is what we want,” said Assistant Coach Miggy Solitaria.
Ben Mbala topped La Salle again wth 29 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, while Andrei Caracut had 14 points and five assists.
Meanwhile, Wendell De Guzman paced the Growling Tigers with a career-high 18 points and Steve Akomo chipped in a double-double 15 points and 13 rebounds.
The Scores:
DLSU (115) – Mbala 29, Caracut 14, Santillan 13, Rivero P 11, Montalbo 8, Tratter 8, Capacio 7, Go 7, Rivero R 7, Tero 5, Baltazar 4, Paraiso 2, Gonzales 0
