The DLSU Green Archers suffered a fourth-quarter breakdown as they ceased to contain the pesky NU Bulldogs, 82-78, in Round One of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament earlier today, October 12, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Rising to the formidable challenge was Lasallian big man Michael Phillips, who tallied 15 points, 16 rebounds, and three steals to put up a good fight despite the unsuccessful bid. He was assisted by Jacob Cortez, who chucked in 15 points of his own.
Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Jake Figueroa, who chalked up 18 points and eight rebounds to be hailed Player of the Game. Also making waves was PJ Palacielo, who registered 16 points and two assists to ignite NU’s scoring spree at the final canto.
Holding ground
Aiming to bounce back from their previous loss, the Green Archers looked determined to dominate early as Team Captain Michael Phillips opened the scoring with back-to-back baskets. Trading buckets with the Bulldogs, La Salle displayed strong playmaking and composure at the onset, taking an 8-3 lead. However, NU quickly tightened their defense, forcing the Archers to rush their shots and struggle against the Bulldogs’ fast-paced offense. The game turned physical as fouls piled up on both sides, with La Salle attempting to match NU’s tempo but quickly losing rhythm in the process. Despite efforts from Jcee Macalalag and Phillips to regain momentum, the Jhocson-based squad read through their plays and responded swiftly on every possession. With both teams exchanging baskets in the last few minutes of the quarter, the Taft-based squad managed to hold on to a slim lead to end the first quarter, 23-21.
The second stretch saw the Bulldogs ramp up their intensity, meeting La Salle’s aggression with powerful drives and strong defensive plays. Earl Abadam opened the quarter with a rebound putback, but NU immediately answered back as Gelo Santiago and Figueroa led an offensive tide to tie the game at 27-all. The Green-and-White struggled to find stability under pressure, committing turnovers and giving up baskets as the Bulldogs dictated the pace. Although Lebron Daep and Cortez converted on crucial free throws to keep the Green Archers within reach, the Bulldogs delivered back-to-back jumpers to widen NU’s lead, 40-34. In the final minutes of the quarter, Cortez responded with a clutch three-pointer to bring the game level once more. Both squads fought for control until the buzzer, closing the first half locked in a tight battle at 40-all.
Too hot to handle
Manning up to a daunting six-point NU lead in the second quarter to tie the game at halftime, the Green Archers surged forward in the third but eventually crumbled at the crucial homestretch. Figueroa continued to steer the Jhocson-based squad after making two consecutive jumpers to quickly pull ahead, 44-40. But the Taft mainstays sought a more aggressive offense, kicked off by the Lasallian big men, as Phillips’ putback and Nwankwo’s dunk turned the tables, 46-44. Despite the Bulldogs’ team effort of baskets, Macalalag and Cortez’s deceiving footwork drove up their own markers. To top it off, Dungo capitalized on the space created by the green jerseys’ passing for a driving layup, securing a six-point cushion at the conclusion of the third quarter, 61-55.
However, the NU Bulldogs did not falter at the final stretch, as Palacielo quickly racked up the first five points of the period with a layup and an and-one fadeaway. Figueroa then continued to make his presence known by sealing a lead-stealing jumper, 61-60. Most notable in the Bulldog’s fourth-quarter jamboree was Jumamoy’s crucial beyond-the-arc baskets assisted by Palacielo, which made the difference for NU with a six-point gutter, 71-65. Still, the Green Archers continued to fight back as Cortez’s aggressive drives helped cut the lead to one, 76-75, with 13.9 seconds left. Unfortunately for the Lasallians, Jumamoy’s wits denied them the come-from-behind win, as Baclaan’s late, heroic three-pointer, proved insufficient. The Bulldogs instead amassed crucial markers from the charity line to clinch a four-point lead right as the buzzer rang, handing the Season 87 runners-up their third loss of the tournament, 82-78.
When asked about the Green Archers’ mindset after slipping out of the top four ratio, Head Coach Topex Robinson emphasized the team’s resilience amid adversity. “We have all the reasons to just roll down and die, but that’s the least of our priorities right now,” he said. He added that the Archers still have plenty of opportunities to recover and fight back. “What’s important is to stick together as a team. We have to go through this harder this time, especially with the injuries to our players.”
On Mason Amos’ early exit after being unable to walk off the court, Robinson shared, “He will have his MRI later tonight.” According to Amos, he felt a pop in his knee after the collision. “Again, it’s accidental. It could happen to anybody—but at this point, we just hope that he’s going to be okay,” he stated.
After falling victim to a losing skid, the Green-and-White aim to quickly regain control, as they face the UE Red Warriors this Wednesday, October 15, at 3 pm, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
DLSU 78 – Philips 15, Cortez 15, Baclaan 11, Pablo 8, Amos 7, Gollena 6, Macalalag 5, Abadam 4, Daep 3, Dungo 2, Nwanko 2, Melencio 0, Marasigan 0
NU 82 – Figueroa 18, Palacielo 16, Francisco 13, Santiago 12, Jumamoy 8, Parks 6, Garcia 4, John 3, Manansala 2, Enriquez 0, Padrones 0, Dela Cruz 0, Navarro 0, Reyes 0
Quarter Scores: 23-21, 40-40, 61-55, 78-82
