In a match between final four contenders, the DLSU Green Archers survived another difficult test, defeating the AdU Soaring Falcons, 86-79, earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena. Kib Montalbo played the hero in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, scoring a late three-point shot with 46.7 seconds left to seal the victory.
Ben Mbala led the Green Archers once again, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while rookie Ricci Rivero delivered an all-around performance with 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Meanwhile, rookie Jerrick Ahamnisi top scored for the Soaring Falcons with 27 points.
Blistering first half
The game began with both teams playing hard-nosed defense. However, it was AdU who came out to be the aggressor early on, while the Green Archers were content to take outside shots. Midway through the quarter, AdU had the upper hand, 10-7, with Jonathan Espeleta scoring six early points.
Given their shaky start, head coach Aldin Ayo fielded rookies Aljun Melecio and Mark Dyke to provide a spark off the bench. The gamble paid off for the Green-and-White, as both players immediately contributed to stave off AdU’s intensity.
The Green Archers opened the second quarter with back-to-back triples by Aljun Melecio and Montalbo. After an Ahamnisi basket, DLSU quickly returned the favor, as Mbala, Thomas Torres, and Rivero joined the onslaught, capping off a 16-4 run. DLSU grabbed the lead and quickly widened the gap, 33-21.
From that point, it seemed as though the La Salle offense was too much for AdU to handle, as Mbala and Tratter came away with spectacular slam dunks to close the second quarter.
But despite this, the Soaring Falcons remained undaunted, as the trio of Ahamnisi, Sean Manganti, and Estuleta kept them within reach of the Green Archers, with the Falcons just down 44-33 at the half.
Foul-troubled second half
Things took a turn for the worse for DLSU upon beginning the third quarter. In a span of three minutes, the Green-and-White squad found itself in the penalty which opened things up for an AdU comeback.
Midway through the third period, the Archers charged again, as another Tratter slam dunk and Rivero basket capped a 7-0 burst after a timeout. But when it looked like DLSU was going to run away with the game, AdU would counter with five unanswered points of their own to stay within fighting distance, 59-47. The Soaring Falcons capitalized on La Salle’s defensive lapses and would earn 11 points at the free throw line alone to close the quarter just down 66-55.
By the fourth quarter, the Green Archers needed to play through adversity to come away with the win. Jason Perkins provided the spark for DLSU early on, scoring three quick points to start the fourth.
But Adamson did not let up, as Papi Sarr, Ahamnisi, and Manganti continued to put the pressure on the Green Archers. Pulling within four points, the Soaring Falcons seemed poised to pull off an upset, as La Salle continued to commit costly turnovers down the stretch.
Holding on to a slim 73-69 lead, a Melecio three-pointer stopped the bleeding for DLSU with 4:15 remaining in the game. But it was far from over, as both teams would trade baskets until the very end.
After a Sarr layup would put the game at 80-78 with under a minute remaining, Montalbo would deliver when it mattered most, as he sank a clutch three-pointer with 46.7 remaining to push the DLSU lead to 84-79. On the next possession, AdU committed a turnover with 37.6 in the clock. Mbala then put the game away as he calmly sank his free throws to secure DLSU’s win.
After the game, head coach Aldin Ayo was proud of how his players handled the pressure and circumstances of foul calls. “You allow them to play basketball and go with the flow.” Nonetheless, he stressed how his team must not let up entering into the remaining games of the tournament, saying, “The more we win, the harder it gets. We’re gonna keep working hard. In the UAAP, any team is capable of making an upset.”
Up next for DLSU is the UP Fighting Maroons on October 15, Saturday, at 2 pm at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
DLSU 86 – Mbala 18 , Rivero 14, Melecio 11, Torres 9, Montalbo 8, Tratter 7, Perkins 5, Caracut 4, Baltazar 4, Paraiso 2, Dyke 2, Sargent 2, Go 0
AdU 79 – Ahamnisi 27, Sarr 13, Manganti 12, Espeleta 9, Bernardo 6, Manalang 3, Ochea 3, Mustre 3, Ng 3, Paranada 0, Camacho 0, Pasturan 0, Ballon 0, Tungcab 0, Barrere 0, Chua 0
