Archers subdue Falcons in overtime
Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City) 2 p.m. – UST vs FEU 4 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP
De La Salle dealt Adamson a 79-78 overtime victory last night at the end of the first round of eliminations in the 81st UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Aljun Melecio and Justine Baltazar scored 22 and 16 points respectively as the Archers climbed to solo fourth place with a 4-3 win-loss record.
The loss, their second straight, dropped the Falcons to a three way tie for first place with defending champion Ateneo and Far Eastern University at 5-2.
A 9-0 run at the start of the extension period gave the Archers a 73-64 lead with 2:08 left.
Adamson threatened at 77-75 with 18 seconds left, but Kib Montalbo made two crucial free throws off Jon Espeleta with 6.2 seconds to preserve the win.
“This game boiled down with our preparation. I’d like to commend the coaching staff and the players,” said La Salle coach Louie Gonzales.
“Good thing we won, at least we’re at the upper half of the standings and we have a chance in the Final Four. In the second round, you’ll see here how tough the players are and the system,” added Gonzales.
Jerrick Ahanmisi led Adamson with 27 points while Manganti added 23 points as the duo combined for 20-of-42 shooting from the field, including 13-of-21 from three-point area.
In the other game, National University drubbed University of the East, 88-61, to score its second win in seven matches.
John Clemente exploded for 21 points as he shot 7-of-11 from the field including 4-of-7 from threepoint territory for NU, while Dave Ildefonso had 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Shaun Ildefonso and Issa Gaye of Senegal contributed 12 points apiece.
“It always feels good to win,” said NU coach Jamike Jarin. “We are dead right now but we’re gonna get up.”
UE, which fell to 1-6, got 20 points from Alvin Pasaol. The scores: NU 88 – Clemente 21, Ildefonso D. 14, Gaye 12, Ildefonso S. 12, Rike 6, Yu 4, Galinato 4, Diputado 4, Joson 2, Sinclair 2, Morido 2, Aquino 2, Salim 2, Tibyan 1, Malonzo 0, Gallego 0.
UE 61 – Pasaol 20, Conner 15, Manalang 10, Maloles 5, Acuno 4, Varilla 3, Bartolome 2, Beltran 2, Cullar 0, Strait 0, Sobrevega 0, Lacap 0, Gallardo 0, Guion 0.
Quarters: 23-19, 56-35, 76-49, 88-61.
LA SALLE 79 – Melecio 22, Santillan 16, Baltazar 16, Caracut 8, Montalbo 8, Serrano 5, Bates 2, Manuel 2, Dyke 0, Go 0.
ADAMSON 78 – Ahanmisi 27, Manganti 23, Sarr 9, Catapusan 5, Camacho 4, Lastimosa 3, Bernardo 2, Colonia 2, Espeleta 2, Magbuhos V. 1, Pingoy 0, Mojica 0.
Quarters: 22-16, 33-32, 49-49, 6464, 79-78.