Defending champions De La Salle University managed to escape the Adamson University in the fourth quarter to clinch an 82-75 victory in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball Final Four series on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Green Archers will now have to wait on the winner of the match between Ateneo and Far Eastern University.
La Salle almost lost the battle as the Soaring Falcons controlled most of the game, lashing their claws against the Green Archers and kept themselves on a comfortable lead.
Down 54-63 coming into the fourth quarter, La Salle got their momentum and mounted a 14-0 run that gave them a 68-63 lead in the final 6:03 in the game. Aljun Melecio boosted the squad to lead by eight points, 78-70.
“In games like this, you have to do everything you can, sometimes even more to get the win,” said La Salle coach Aldin Ayo. “My players really gave their all. We were focused, especially on defense.”
La Salle depended on their freebies, making 26 out of 39 attempts off 33 fouls called on Adamson. Adamson, on the other hand, only went on 2-of-5 on the 12 fouls called off La Salle.
Ben Mbala topped the Green Archers with 27 points, 11 of which came from the free throw line, along with 14 rebounds, while Santi Santillan had 15 markers and eight boards.
Jerrick Ahanmisi led Adamson with 17 points, while Robbie Manalang chipped in 16 points in the losing effort.
The Scores:
DLSU – Mbala 27, Santillan 15, Rivero R 14, Melecio 7, Montalbo 5, Caracut 4, Tratter 3, Go 3, Rivero P 2, Baltazar 2, Paraiso, 0.
