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[av_heading heading=’Unbowed Green Archers nears basketball sweep ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The De La Salle University Green Archers moved closer to sweeping the UAAP Season 79 men’s seniors basketball tournament following a 95-66 victory over the University of the East Red Warriors on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Cameroonian reinforcement Benoit Mbala led the way with double-double 26 points and 20 rebounds for the Green Archers, which improved its immaculate win-loss record to 12-0.
Jeron Teng added 20 markers, while Thomas Torres contributed 11 points for the Green Archers, which only needs to beat the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Nov. 5 and Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Nov.12 to complete the 14-0 sweep.
The Green Archers opened the match with a 19-5 lead behind the inside hits of Mbala. The Red Warriors rallied to within 19-11 but the Green Archers pulled away anew following a triple by Aljun Melecio and a layup by Ricci Rivero.
Offense for both teams slowed down in the second frame with the Red Warriors just behind 33-27 following baskets by Shannon Gagate. But the Green Archers extended the lead to 37-27 at halftime on conversions by Mbala.
The Green Archers started to pull away in the third frame behind Teng and Mbala for a 60-40 lead. Three-point baskets by Torres and Melecio allowed the Green Archers to build a 73-48 on a three-point play by Rashleigh Rivero.
The Red Warriors made a mini-run early in the final frame to come to within 77-62, but a basket by Teng followed by a triple by Torres upped the lead to 82-62 before widening it to 29 point edge on a play by Rivero.
Rookie Alvin Pasaol top-scored with 17 points, including three three-point baskets, for the Red Warriors, which slid down to last place in the standings with a 2-9 win-loss record./PN
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