La Salle leans on Mark Nonoy’s heroics to get past University of the East

MANILA---The De La Salle University Green Archers leaned on crucial baskets from guard Mark Nonoy to help them escape with an 85-82 overtime win over the hard fighting University of the East Red Warriors in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament on Thursday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Green Archers win pushed them up to 7-3, just a game behind second seed University of the Philippines with a matchup looming on Saturday, 4:30 pm. Meanwhile, the Red Warriors were eliminated at 0-10.

Tied at 78-all, Nonoy banked in a jumper to give La Salle the lead, 80-78, with 49.8 seconds remaining. UE had a shot at tying the game after Red Warrior Clint Escamis was fouled but he missed both attempts from the charity stripe. On the next Green Archers possession, Nonoy rose up from the left wing and swished in a triple for an 83-78 La Salle lead, time down to just 23.6 seconds.

UE though replied as Harvey Pagsanjan made back-to-back layups to inch within a point, 82-83, with 12.5 seconds remaining. But Justine Baltazar - who was shooting 4-of8 from the line - coolly made both his free throws while Pagsanjan missed his three as time expired.

“We really had to dig deep to get this win. I think UE really played well,” said La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren. “Fortunately, we were able to regroup and get the win.”

Baltazar put up 14 points and 22 rebounds, while Michael Phillips grabbed 26 rebounds to go with 12 points. The two of them outscored the whole Red Warriors, 48-41.

Schonny Winston topscored for the Green Archers with 18 points while Kurt Lojera had 17.

Pagsanjan had a game-high 23 points to go with 10 rebounds for UE.

The Red Warriors will close Saturday's quadruple-header against Far Eastern University at 7 pm. (JNP)