Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 18) — Showing the heart of a true champion, the De La Salle University Green Archers defeated the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 82-75, Saturday.
Ben Mbala carried the Green Archers to the win once again with 27 points and 14 rebounds,
The Soaring Falcons were off to a scorching start as they built a 21-11 advantage at the end of the opening period at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Building on the gains from the start, Adamson managed to keep La Salle at bay heading into the halftime break.
The Green Archers were able to slice the deficit, but the Soaring Falcons clawed their way back within striking distance by the third frame.
As the momentum switched to sides, La Salle went on a 28-point rampage in the payoff quarter to seal the first finals ticket.
Santi Santillian contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, while Ricci Rivero chipped in 14 points and six rebounds for the Green Archers.
“We’re not going to stop until we get the championship,” DLSU head coach Aldin Ayo said in the post-game press conference.
La Salle takes a breather and waits in the wings for the winner between the top-seeded Ateneo Blue Eagles and Far Eastern University Tamaraws on November 19 in the other Final Four matchup.
When asked which team they prefer to face in the finals, Ayo said it was the team that deserved that slot.
“Whoever is deserving, we’re going to face them.”
