MANILA – De La Salle University Green Archers came up with key hits and defensive stops to score an 80-76 win over National University Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
As the scores tied 76-all Wednesday night, Bulldogs had a chance to take the lead but rookie Troy Rike fumbled on his two free throws while Green Archers snatched the 78-76 edge on a jumper by Justine Baltazar.
Green Archers then forced Bulldogs’ Enso Joson into a five second violation before extending the advantage to 4 on two free throws from Andrei Caracut to clinch the victory.
Aljun Melecio led Green Archers with 19 points. Baltazar had his best game in the UAAP with double-double 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Leonard Santillan and Jose Go had 10 points each.
“Lagi lang akong nire-remind ng coach (Louie Gonzalez) na maghintay lang ako, dadating din iyong time ko kaya eto na, kailangan ko magtrabaho,” said Baltazar. “Papanindigan ko na ito.”
Dave Ildefonso, meanwhile, finished with 16 points, while Rike and John Lloyd Clemente added 15 and 12 points, respectively, for Bulldogs (1-1).
In the first game, Adamson University Falcons leaned on Sean Manganti’s career-high 27 points to score a 90-76 domination over University of the East Red Warriors and surged to solo first place with a 2-0 slate.
Red Warriors were holding a 28-25 lead when Falcons went on a 17-0 scoring run, capped by a 3-pointer from Jerrick Ahanmisi for a 42-28 advantage with 1:17 left in the first half.
Jonathan Espeleta’s corner 3 gave Adamson the biggest lead in the game 67-47. Red Warriors made their last push 62-73 but Falcons answered with hits from Manganti and Ahanmisi for an 84-66 spread./PN
