UAAP: Green Archers defeat struggling Adamson, extend winning streak to three

The DLSU Green Archers may have just had their most efficient win of the season, as they defeated the AdU Soaring Falcons, 67-48, to extend their winning streak to three straight games.

“Just like how we approach every game, it’s not really who we play [against] but what we want to accomplish”, shared head coach Juno Sauler during the post-game press conference.

Kib Montalbo, the second year guard from Bacolod, brought the spark for the Green Archers, scoring a game-high 18 points on 75 percent shooting from the field. Moreover, rookie forward Prince Rivero continued his impressive run as he racked up 12 points and six rebounds.

Despite the absence of big men Arnold van Opstal and Norbert Torres the Green-and-White controlled the boards throughout the game, out-rebounding the Falcons by seven, 46-39. Van Opstal’s absence was due to a lingering problem with his Achilles and was advised to rest for a week, while Torres sustained an ankle sprain.

It was a back-and-forth first half with La Salle edging out their rivals by five points at the end of 2nd quarter. The tremendous defense being shown by both teams led to a low scoring first half, with the Green Archers making only 21.88 percent of their shots. La Salle played it smart, however, making most of their chances at the freethrow line, making nine of their 10 attempts, ending the first half with the score in their favor at 23-18.

Perimeter scoring eventually became the deciding factor during the second half. Montalbo continued to light up the scoreboard, making three straight jumpshots to start the third period. Adamson, on the other hand, struggled with their shooting mainly due to the physical defense of the Green Archers, forcing the Soaring Falcons to commit 22 turnovers. Adamson only managed to make seven out of 24 attempts from the field as the Green-and-White executed a balanced attack for the rest of the latter half.

Producing six points and six rebounds with only eight minutes on the court, veteran big man Yutien Andrada sparked a run with his timely shots and precise passes that finally put the game out of reach. Swingman Jonathan Rios and point guard Alex Iñigo led Adamson’s campaign, garnering 11 and nine points, respectively.

Up next for the Green Archers are the UP Fighting Maroons on August 6, 2pm at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

NOTE: All of La Salle’s players finally saw the court this season as rookie guard Terence Mustre made his UAAP debut late in the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard Robert Bolick scored his first two UAAP points today on a fastbreak lay-up in the second half.

The Scores:

DLSU 67: Montalbo-18, Rivero-12, Sargent-8, Vosotros-8, Tratter-7, Andrada-6, Bolick-4, Teng-2, Perkins-2, Salem-0, Mustre-0

AdU 48: Rios-11, Iñigo-9, Montecarlo-9, Villanueva-8, Barrera-4, Ochea-3, Aquino-2, Nalos-2, Pedrosa-0, Trollano-0