De La Salle University showed how a champion rises from a hard fall as they made a comeback in the Game 2 of the UAAP men’s basketball Finals and defeated Ateneo University, 92-83, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ateneo came out strong in the first half with a 21-7 lead and eventually ballooned to a game-high 49-28 with 3:23 left in the second quarter.
However, the Green Archers went on a 40-11 run that turned the big deficit into a 68-59 lead heading into the fourth quarter as the trio of Ben Mbala, Ricci Rivero and Andrei Caracut led the squad.
“We stuck together. We kept grinding and we kept pushing,” said Ben Mbala. “Coach (Aldin Ayo) told us to keep believing. We just have to stick together and stick to the game plan.”
Mbala, who had a career low eight points in their Game 1 loss against Ateneo, came back and proved once again why he is hailed as the two-time MVP as he finished with a double-double record of 20 points, 16 rebounds, three steals and four blocks.
Rivero chipped in 18 points, while Caracut, who went scoreless in Game 1 of the Finals, proved himself and had 13 points.
Thirdy Ravena tried to lead the Blue Eagles and salvage the game as they hope for a Finals sweep, but the Green Archers proved to be too strong for them in the final period.
La Salle shot an excellent 48 percent from the field, while they limited Ateneo to only 38 percent.
Ravena paced the Blue Eagles with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Aaron Black chipped in 15 points, while Anton Asistio had 13 markers in the losing effort.
The deciding Game 3 is scheduled on Sunday at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
DLSU 92 – Mbala 20, Rivero R 18, Caracut 13, Melecio 12, Montalbo 9, Santillan 8, Rivero P 8, Tratter 4, Tero 0, Go 0, Baltazar 0.
ADMU 83 – Ravena 20, Black 15, Asistio 13, Go 11, Nieto Ma 10, Ikeh 6, Mendoza 5, Tolentino 2, Tio 1, Verano 0, Nieto Mi 0, Mamuyac 0, Porter 0.
Quarterscores: 15-32, 42-51, 68-59, 92-83.
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