Metro Manila, Philippines — The De La Salle University Green Archers showed championship mettle and weathered the pesky University of the East Red Warriors in overtime, 97-88, to open Round 2 of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Despite committing 31 crucial turnovers, the Green Archers sustained control of the match by dominating the paint with 60 points compared to the Red Warriors’ 38 to end their two-game losing streak.
The defending champions claimed their much-needed victory and improved to a 4-4 standing at sixth place, while UE remained at the cellar with a 0-8 record.
Mason Amos powered La Salle with 17 points in a 6-of-11 shooting from the field and nine rebounds. Jcee Macalalag and Henry Agunanne also stepped up with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
The Taft-based squad managed to pull away early after a bucket and a triple from Doy Dungo put them on top by 11 in the opener, 27-16.
Despite missing the services of Jacob Cortez after an injury in the second quarter, Amos came firing from all cylinders to halt UE’s 6-0 run and score nine of La Salle’s 13 points in the second frame, 40-29.
The Red Warriors outscored the Green Archers in the third quarter, 21-17, after crucial turnovers and conversions led by rookies Mo Tañedo and Lance Sabroso cut the deficit by seven, 57-50.
With less than 20 seconds left in regulation, Sabroso and rookie star Toper Lagat sank back-to-back baskets in the paint to force a decider, 74-all.
Both teams were neck-and-neck in overtime until Amos and rookie Joaquin Tovera took over and combined for 12 points to clinch a win in their Round 2 opener.
La Salle foiled the performances of Lagat and Sabroso, who produced 20 and 18 markers, respectively. Tañedo also added 16 points in the loss.
DLSU will look to keep their momentum going against the fiery University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, UE will look for its elusive first win when they face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at the same time and venue.
NewsWatch Plus intern Jade Bagas contributed to this report.
The scores:
La Salle (97) — Amos 17, Macalalag 14, Agunanne 13, Dungo 12, Tovera 11, Abadam 9, Pablo 6, Cortez, J. 4, Gagate 4, Sardon 3, Marasigan 2, Cortez, M. 2, Quines 0
UE (88) — Lagat 20, Sabroso 18, Tañedo 16, Cruz-Dumont 13, Robles 9, Vazquez 4, Jimenez 4, Ajani 2, Javier 2, Dungca 0, Perez 0, Apostol 0
Quarterscores: 27-16, 40-29, 57-50, 74-74, 97-88
