In what was arguably their best performance of the season, the DLSU Green Archers were dealt a heartbreaking loss by the UP Fighting Maroons, 72-71, earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena. La Salle held the advantage almost the entire match, but the Fighting Maroons snatched the decisive lead in the game’s final moments. The Green-and-White now sports a 2-4 win-loss record, while the Fighting Maroons improve to 5-1.
Kobe Paras led the Fighting Maroons with 21 points, while Bright Akhuetie added 17 points and 14 rebounds. Juan Gomez de Liaño rounded off the top three scorers for UP, adding 10 of his own to his team’s tally.
In the valiant losing effort, Andrei Caracut and Aljun Melecio were the top scorers with 16 points each. Justine Baltazar followed up with a near double-double, scoring 13 points and nine rebounds, while Jordan Bartlett and Jamie Malonzo contributed eight and seven points, respectively, to highlight the all-around team game that the Green-and-White showcased.
When asked about how he felt about the team’s performance, Baltazar said, “Binigay namin lahat ng kaya namin, sa offense at depensa. Kaya naging maganda ang laban.”
(We gave everything we could, both on offense and defense. That’s why it was a competitive game.)
Playing as a unit
The game opened with the DLSU Green Archers playing as a team and the UP Fighting Maroons looking like individuals on offense. But it was UP big-man Bright Akhuetie who opened the scoring in the game, as he made his shot and was fouled by Joaqui Manuel in the paint at the 9:42 mark.
The Green-and-White fired back quickly with Baltazar converting an easy layup after a Malonzo assist. The play started an 8-1 run for the Archers, which lasted up until 7:03 remained in the quarter. From that point on, it was back-and-forth action.
The Taft-based squad looked well-oiled throughout the quarter as the plays drawn up by the coaching staff found the team scoring with easy looks. DLSU’s unselfish basketball and hustle on defense paid dividends as they ended the first quarter leading, 18-14.
The strong play on defense continued for the Green Archers in the second period as they forced a shot-clock violation on UP’s first possession. Baltazar scored the first points of the quarter with another assist from Malonzo, putting their team ahead by six points, 20-14.
The Green-and-White continued to work together through quick passing and movement on the offensive end, coupled with relentless effort on defense to give the team another run. The Taft-based squad outscored the Fighting Maroons, 11-5, as they built a 29-19 lead with 3:08 left in the half.
Brandon Bates played a major role on defense in the quarter as Akhuetie struggled to score on him while turning the ball over at the same time. The half ended 36-29 in favor of DLSU.
Coming in the clutch
The Green Archers came into the second half looking to maintain their lead to bring home the win. In an attempt to extend the gap early in the third quarter, Caracut went on to sink a three-pointer from the corner off a Melecio assist.
However, the Fighting Maroons refused to be dismissed from the game and continued to fight on. At the 9:00 mark, Akhuetie and Ricci Rivero made consecutive layups to bring down the deficit to four points, 39-35, leading the UP squad to an 11-0 run.
DLSU came up with an answer, however, as both Caracut and Melecio caught fire. The two sparked a 9-0 run on their own, which was capped off with a Caracut bucket off an assist from Melecio. This brought the score to 49-40 in favor of the Taft-based squad.
UP’s Paras kept his squad in the game, as he continuously made shots to help shrink the gap. At the 3:09 mark, he completed a three-point play to bring the scoreline to 51-48, with La Salle still leading. Bartlett came back with an answer through converting a mid-range jumper at the 2:18 mark, followed by Encho Serrano sinking a layup.
From this point, the defensive plays from both teams started to look alive to keep the game even. Jaydee Tungcab from UP attempted to close the quarter with a three-point shot, but missed, ending the third period with a scoreline of 59-52, in favor of DLSU.
Though the game still looked to be in favor of the Green Archers, the Fighting Maroons came into the fourth quarter with more life. Looking to make a comeback, Akhuetie opened the scoring for the quarter, as he converted two free throws, sparking a 9-2 run for the UP squad. This was highlighted by Paras going two-for-two at the charity line to tie the game, 61-all.
At the 7:50 mark, Caracut sank a three-point shot, however, to end UP’s run. Both teams then proceeded to exchange shots to keep the game close.
In the latter half of the final quarter, both teams began to struggle offensively as they continuously missed their shots. DLSU’s defense in the paint kept a number of UP’s attempts out of the basket, but the Fighting Maroons remained hungry for the win. With 1:16 to go in the game, Paras was sent to the free throw line and hit both of his shots. This brought the gap down to only two points, 71-69, keeping the Archers on their toes.
After Malonzo missed both his free throws with 49 seconds left in the game, the Taft-based squad relied on their strong defense in the paint to keep their two-point lead. However, this ultimately left the arc open, giving Ju. Gomez de Liaño the opportunity to convert a three-point shot with only seven seconds remaining to tilt the game in their favor, 72-71.
The Green Archers were stunned, as they were forced to come up with a clutch play to salvage the game. In the final seconds, La Salle looked to team captain Caracut to shoot a three-pointer far from the line; his missed attempt surrendered the win to the Fighting Maroons.
After the game, active consultant Jermaine Byrd praised the team, “The team played well; we just didn’t win. [UP’s] experience late into the game took over, and our inexperience took over. But I’m proud of my guys—we’re continuing to get better, we’re continuing to fight, and we’ll be ready for Saturday.”
The DLSU Green Archers are looking to bounce back on Saturday, September 28, at 2 pm at the Mall of Asia Arena as they face the UST Growling Tigers.
The scores:
DLSU 71 – Caracut 16, Melecio 16, Baltazar 13, Bartlett 8, Malonzo 7, Manuel 5, Serrano 4, Lojera 2.
UP 72 – Paras 21, Akhuetie 17, Ju. Gomez de Liaño 10, Rivero 9, Manzo 5, Tungcab 5, Webb 3, Jaboneta 2.
Quarter scores: 18-14, 36-29, 59-52, 71-72.
