FilOil: La Salle falls to ADMU, 80-78, absorbs third loss in seven games

The DLSU Green Archers fell to the ADMU Blue Eagles earlier today, 80-78, and now hold a 4-3 win-loss card in the FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup. Ben Mbala finished with 23 points and nine rebounds for La Salle while Aljun Melecio recorded 20 points on 38 percent three-point shooting and grabbed five rebounds.

Anton Asistio led the way for the Blue Eagles in their winning effort and tallied 13 points behind four of five three-pointers made. Mike Nieto and and Raffy Verano rounded up the double-digit scorers for the team from Katipunan with 10 points each. Assists proved to be a telling stat of the game as the Ateneans went on to break down the Green-and-White’s defense and gain a 17-7 advantage.

“We need to improve our one-on-one defense. Our game plan going into this game was [to play] man-to-man but most of us were relying on help. We have to be able to play better defense one-on-one,” said Mbala after the game.

Furthermore, La Salle struggled in outside shooting as it went on to shoot 17 percent from distance as compared to ADMU’s 43 percent.

First half

The Lasallians raced to an early 7-6 lead in the first quarter although Anton Asisitio converted three consecutive three-pointers to spark an 11-2 scoring run for ADMU. La Salle struggled to gets its offense flowing as Verano eventually gave the Blue Eagles a 22-18 lead off another three-pointer.

Melecio got DLSU’s offense going, scoring 10 points in the second period alone. The point guard went on to trim the Atenean lead to one point, 31-30, off a pull-up three-pointer at the 2:51 mark. Tyler Tio then responded with two crucial midrange jumpers while Mbala scored from the post over Kris Porter and Jawuan White as La Salle trailed, 36-33, heading into the locker room.

Second half

A close battle continued to ensue with DLSU and ADMU trading baskets early on in the third quarter. A scuffle occurred between both teams as jump ball was called between Mbala and Chibueze Ikeh. The two big men were then given warnings and Melecio and Asistio received technical fouls. With both teams tied at 51-all in the dying moments of the period, Verano gave the Blue-and-White a two-point lead before the buzzer.

The Green Archers came away with a lucky break off a Melecio air ball, as a turnover by Matt Nieto paved the way to a follow-up from Mbala to give La Salle a one-point lead with 18 seconds remaining in the fourth period.

Moments later, Thirdy Ravena was given a four-point play opportunity. Although he missed the bonus free throw with 9 seconds remaining, the Blue Eagles managed to get an offensive rebound. Afterwards, Ma. Nieto converted two free throws after he was fouled to give the Blue-and-White a two possession lead, 78-74, with 5 seconds to play in the game. Santi Santillan then scored a quick two-pointer although White made two free throws to seal victory for ADMU.

Despite the Green Archers falling in what proved to be a physical encounter, Mbala appeared to be optimistic and said, “We’re La Salle, we play mad. We like to play physical, we just have to get used to it. We have a lot of young players but before the UAAP, I think we’ll get there. It’s just a work in progress.”

The Green-and-White will conclude its elimination round versus the Letran Knights on Friday, June 16, at 3:15 pm at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

The scores:

DLSU 78- Mbala 23, Melecio 20, Ri. Rivero 8, Santillan 7, Gonzales 7, Baltazar 6, Caracut 5, Tratter 1, Tero 1

ADMU 80- Asistio 13, Verano 10, Mi. Nieto 10, Ravena 9, White 9, Black 6, Tio 5, Ikeh 5, Go 4, Mendoza 4, Ma. Nieto 2, Porter 2, Tolentino 1

Quarter scores: 18-22, 33-36, 51-53, 78-80