Green Archers go for UAAP title clincher
WITH one foot already inside the door for another University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball title, the De La Salle Green Archers are out to make it official and shut the door on the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Game Two today of their best-of-three finals series.
Set for 3:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Taft-based Archers go for the clincher and win their ninth UAAP men’s basketball title.
La Salle put itself on the brink of another title after defeating Ateneo in Game One, 67-65, in a match that saw it start strong and sputter in the end, but did just enough to survive.
The Archers rode on the efforts of the steady play of Ben Mbala and Aljun Melecio and the clutch performance of Jeron Teng down the stretch to claim the opener.
While he struggled offensively for much of the game, veteran Teng stepped up for his team in the windup, hitting the go- ahead basket with 15 seconds left, 66-65, before making the key stop moments later by blocking the potential counter from Ateneo player Aaron Black.
La Salle then sealed the win with Kib Montalbo splitting his free throws for the final score.
Mbala had 20 points and 15 rebounds while Melecio had 12, all from beyond the arc.
Teng wound up with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
While they were made to sweat as the game progressed and was put in a spot to absorb an upset loss, La Salle coach Aldin Ayo still gave credit to his wards for digging deep and staying the course to hack out the win in the opener.
“We lost the lead during the game but I’m proud that we stuck to our game plan and did not rely on just individual capabilities,” said Mr. Ayo after their win.
He also threw praises to King Archer Teng for stepping up the way he did.
“Winning time has the best players in the team stepping up. And I’m happy that JT (Teng) did and, of course, the talent of Ben,” he said.
For Game Two, Mbala and Teng underscored the need for the entire team to play better to seal the championship.
“We started strong but lost it. We have to rectify this and keep our focus. The intensity has to be there from start to finish,” Mbala said.
Teng, for his part, said: “I told my other teammates that we have to play better. We have to play better and be ready for the adjustments that Ateneo will make.”
Meanwhile, prior to the start of Game Two today, individual honors will be given to outstanding athletes in UAAP men’s basketball.
Leading the awardees is most valuable player Mbala of La Salle. He is also part of the mythical five which also includes teammate Teng, Raymar Jose of Far Eastern University, Thirdy Ravena of Ateneo and Paul Desiderio of the University of the Philippines.
Rookie of the year is La Salle’s Melecio.