Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 28) – The De La Salle University Green Archers booked their Final Four spot in UAAP Season 84 after a crucial 64-51 win over the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Schonny Winston delivered 19 points and five rebounds for the Archers, who are now assured of the third seed with an 8-5 slate.
Evan Nelle scored most of his 11 points in the fourth quarter, where La Salle broke loose and established a double-digit lead after three close quarters.
In the first three periods, Adamson successfully matched La Salle’s fast-paced offense with JM Sabandal and Keith Zaldivar filling in the scoring cudgels.
Falcons top scorer Jerom Lastimosa – who led the San Marcelino-based dribblers with 11 points – struggled in the first half with only two points.
The fourth quarter was the game’s turning point as the Archers buckled up their team offense and forced the Falcons to commit turnovers, scoring points from it.
Adamson fell to sixth place in the team standings with a 5-8 record, but is still in the running for a Final Four spot depending on the FEU-Ateneo result in the next game.
La Salle will have a crucial tangle against National University on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. while Adamson will face winless University of the East at 10 a.m.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 64 – Winston 19, Nelle 11, Lojera 10, Austria 6, Baltazar 6, M. Phillips 4, Nwankwo 4, Manuel 2, B. Phillips 2, Nonoy 0.
ADAMSON 51 – Lastimosa 11, Peromingan 11, Sabandal 8, Zaldivar 7, Douanga 6, Manzano 4, Hanapi 4, Magbuhos 0, Colonia 0, Yerro 0, Barasi 0, Fuentebella 0, Maata 0, Jaymalin 0.
Quarterscores: 12-13, 27-26, 43-43, 64-51.
