17 October 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – De La Salle University defeated the hapless University of the East anew, 79-59, to start the second round of the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
La Salle improved their standings to share third spot with Far Eastern University with a 5-3 win-loss record.
The Green Archers dominated the game from the get-go, despite team captain Alvin Pasaol’s 10-point outburst in the first quarter, 21-16.
Andrei Caracut and Encho Serrano then orchestrated an 11-2 run as they rained in on threes to start the second quarter, 44-28. UE tried to cut the double-digit deficit after answering an 8-0 rally, but La Salle strengthened their defense and denied the Red Warriors any chances from scoring another basket.
UE powered through after the break with a 10-2 run that put them within three, 49-46.
However, that didn’t last long as La Salle took an 11-0 run once again and never looked back as they cruised to victory.
Rookie Serrano had his best game yet with 18 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Caracut chipped in 16 markers.
On the other hand, Pasaol paved the way for UE with a double-double record of 22 points and 17 rebounds, while Chris Connor added 12 markers in the losing effort as the Red Warriors dropped to their third straight loss for a 1-7 slate.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 79 – Serrano 18, Caracut 16, Santillan 13, Baltazar 12, Melecio 8, Montalbo 3, Manuel 3, Bates 2, Dyke 2, Corteza 2, Go 0, Capacio 0
UE 59 – Pasaol 22, Conner 12, Varilla 7, Bartolome 6, Cullar 3, Antiporda 3, Manalang 2, Acuno 2, Sobrevega 2, Guion 0, Gagate 0, Beltran 0, Lacap 0, Strait 0
Quarter scores: 21-16, 47-36, 66-49, 79-59
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