MANILA — Defending champion De La Salle University Green Archers erased a six-point third-quarter deficit before unleashing a decisive late-game assault to defeat archrival Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 83-76, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Rookie guard Joaquin Tovera and Jan Macalalag spearheaded the Green Archers’ comeback with 15 points apiece as La Salle overcame Ateneo’s second-half resistance to secure its third victory in five outings.
Jacob Cortez provided additional firepower with 12 points, while Andrei Dungo contributed 10 as the defending champions improved to a 3-2 win-loss record, tying the Blue Eagles in the standings.
Ateneo appeared headed for a crucial rivalry victory after establishing a 58-52 advantage midway through the third quarter, but La Salle quickly turned the momentum around.
Tovera, Henry Agunnane and Cortez combined to fuel an offensive surge that wiped out the deficit and propelled the Green Archers to a 63-62 lead.
La Salle sustained its offensive pressure, eventually stretching its advantage to 72-64 after Cortez completed a three-point play.
The Blue Eagles, however, refused to surrender, mounting a spirited counterattack that trimmed the deficit to just two points, 70-72, and threatened to derail La Salle’s comeback.
But the Green Archers displayed their composure in the crucial stretch, capitalizing on free-throw opportunities to regain control.
Tovera split his two free throws before Macalalag calmly sank three consecutive charities to give La Salle a 77-70 cushion.
Mason Amos then delivered a dagger three-pointer that extended the Green Archers’ advantage to 10 points, effectively putting the game beyond Ateneo’s reach.
Shawn Tuano carried the scoring load for the Blue Eagles with 17 points, while Jared Bahay chipped in 14, but their efforts were not enough to prevent Ateneo from absorbing its second defeat in five games.
Meanwhile, National University Bulldogs bounced back from their previous setback with a commanding 85-66 demolition of Adamson University Soaring Falcons.
PJ Palacielo and Paul Francisco led the Bulldogs’ balanced offensive attack as NU seized control of the contest and improved its record to 3-2.
Palacielo topscored with 19 points, while Francisco contributed 17. Mo Diassana added 15 markers, with Reinhard Jumamoy and Tebol Garcia chipping in 12 points each.
The Bulldogs’ offensive depth proved too much for the Soaring Falcons, who struggled to contain NU’s multiple scoring threats.
Ray Allen Torres paced Adamson with 14 points, followed by Matt Erolon with 12. Matt Montebon and Precious Jonah contributed 11 apiece, while Earl Medina finished with 10.
The defeat dropped Adamson to an even 2-2 win-loss record./PN
