La Salle eliminates Adamson, advances to finals
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers clinched a spot in the finals through a big fourth-quarter play that overpowered third-seed Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 82-75, in the semi-finals of the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
A strong comeback in the final frame that overcame a double-digit deficit and a dominant performance on the free-throw line lifted the Archers to victory despite their weak play in the first three quarters.
Ricci Rivero [right] blocks Sean Manganti's [left] shot. Photo by Josh Albelda of ABS-CBN Sports.
La Salle banked 26 free throws out of 39 attempts off 33 fouls from Adamson, while the Falcons only made two freebies out of five off DLSU's 12 fouls.
The Falcons led most of the game until the last five minutes when the Archers sparked a 14-0 run led by Ben Mbala and Santi Santillan. AdU answered with back-to-back threes fired by Kristian Bernardo to reclaim their lead by one, but DLSU proved to be unstoppable as they responded defensively with an 8-0 run, holding the Falcons scoreless and closing the game in the Archers' favor.
Newly-crowned MVP Ben Mbala scored game-high 27 points and 14 rebounds followed by Santi Santillan with 15 markers. Jerrick Ahanmisi led the Falcons with 17 points, while Robbie Manalang chipped in 15 markers. The Falcons are eliminated; the next opponent of the Archers will be the winner of the matchup between the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Nov. 19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Paul David L. Gelario Box scores: DLSU 82 – Mbala 27, Santillan 15, Rivero R 14, Melecio 7, Montalbo 5, Caracut 4, Tratter 3, Go 3, Rivero P 2, Baltazar 2, Paraiso 0 AdU 75 – Ahanmisi 17, Manalang 16, Hill 10, Lojera 7, Sarr 6, Bernardo 6, Manganti 5, Espeleta 4, Pingoy 2, Zaldivar 2, Ochea 0 Quarter scores: 11-21, 33-39, 54-63, 82-75