Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20) — The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers fended off the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 85-73, Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ben Mbala, who just returned from a FIBA Afrobasket stint, erupted with a new career-high 32 points on 2-of-4 shooting from beyond-the-arc and ten rebounds for the Green Archers.
La Salle showed why they have one of the deepest lineups in the league after its bench outscored the entire Soaring Falcons squad in the opening quarter, 19-12.
Adamson went on a 28-point rampage to trim the Green Archers’ lead to single digit heading to the payoff period.
The Soaring Falcons were able to cut the deficit to as low as seven, but Mbala put the finishing touches to propel La Salle to its third straight victory in the tournament.
Santi Santillian was the other Green Archer to score in double digits with ten points and seven rebounds.
Robbie Manalang paved the way for Adamson with 16 markers and two boards. The Soaring Falcons dropped to 1-2 in the team standings.
La Salle will stake its unbeaten slate against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on September 23, while Adamson takes on the National University Bulldogs on September 24.
Both matches will take place at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The scores:
DLSU (85) — Mbala 32, Santillan 10, Tratter 9, P. Rivero 8, R. Rivero 6, Montalbo 5, Caracut 5, Go 3, Baltazar 3, Melecio 2, Gonzales 2.
Adamson (73) — Manalang 16, Sarr 12, Ahanmisi 10, Pingoy 9, Manganti 8, Bernardo 8, Hill 6, Ochea 3, Lojera 1, Espeleta 0, Camacho 0, Mustre 0, Zaldivar 0.
Quarterscores: 36-12; 55-33; 70-61; 85-73.
