The DLSU Green Archers won their second game in as many outings, defeating the UP Fighting Maroons, 89-71 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Ben Mbala delivered on his promise to improve, scoring 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while shooting 12/15 from the field.
“We just played our game, especially on defense, but we had 26 turnovers,” said Coach Aldin Ayo. After holding a 43-34 lead in the first half, the Green Archers pulled away in the third quarter, capped off by a 12-0 run led by back-to-back three-point baskets by Jollo Go. Integral to DLSU’s win was its defense, as the Green Archers forced UP to commit 34 turnovers, while converting them to 35 points.
Lukewarm first half
The game started with both teams looking to run. UP’s Paul Desiderio and Mbala traded baskets early, as DLSU held a slim 15-13 lead four minutes into the game.
To keep the Fighting Maroons in the game early on, Desiderio was lethal from midrange, scoring in an array of jump shots, racking up 10 points in the first half.
After the shaky start, the Green Archers showed flashes of their stinging defense midway through the first quarter, highlighted by a breakaway dunk by Mbala off a steal by Jeron Teng. Moments later, Mbala then followed it up with a monster block against Jett Manuel on the other end.
By the end of the first quarter, Green-and-White held a 31-19 advantage.
However, the Fighting Maroons would counter in the second quarter. Despite being in early foul trouble, UP banked on DLSU’s nine missed free throws to get back in the game. After a scintillating opening, DLSU managed to score only six points with two minutes left in the half.
The Green Archers ended a dismal second quarter on a positive note, as they forced a turnover which ensued in a Torres layup just in time before the buzzer sounded. UP had a 15-12 scoring edge in the second quarter.
Green Archers turn it up in second half
Much like the first quarter, both teams started the second half trading baskets, with DLSU leading 57-44 early in the third quarter.
It was then that the Green Archers took matters into their own hands, as they put together a 12 -0 run sparked by back-to-back three-point shots by Jollo Go midway through the third quarter. Julian Sargent and Abu Tratter continued to provide the defensive push for the Archers.
By the end of the third, DLSU took a commanding 76-52 lead.
The fourth quarter proved to be much like the third, as DLSU continued to hound UP on defense, while also being effective on the offense. Back-to-bank dunks by Mbala once again ignited a DLSU attack, after a resilient UP side appeared to be making a comeback.
With the game out of reach, all five rookies, Brent Paraiso, Aljun Melecio, Ricci Rivero, Mark Dyke, and Justine Baltazar, entered the game with two minutes remaining.
After the game, Head Coach Aldin Ayo stressed that despite the win, the Green Archers still have to improve by limiting turnovers.
The Green Archers next face the UST Growling Tigers on September 14, 4 pm, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
DLSU 76 – Mbala 30, Tratter 12, Teng 12, Go 11, Montalbo 9, Torres 8, Caracut 3, Sargent 2, Rivero R. 2, Baltazar 0, Melecio 0, Rivero P. 0, Dyke 0, Paraiso 0
UP 71 – Desiderio 21, Manuel 13, Harris 8, Dario 8, Vito 5, Webb 4, Lim 4, Romero 2, Gomez de Liano 2, Jaboneta 2, Lao 0, Asilum 0, Prado 0, Longa 0, Moralde 0
