spot_img
28.4 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

La Salle Archers pierce Falcons, UAAP caging final seat

- Advertisement -

Aljun Melecio finally got his rhythm back.

The 5’7 Melecio, who is fighting to shrug off the effects of the dengue fever he suffered two months ago,  joined mainstay Santi Santillan in scoring crucial baskets at endgame.

Their big efforts down the stretch helped put the defending champion La Salle Green Archers in the lead, and later help push them to an 82-75 stopping of the Adamson Falcons at the Araneta Coliseum.

This allowed the second-seeded Green Archers to reach the finals again for the second straight season, and after Saturday's Final Four encounter in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

“Kinausap ako ni coach kagabi. Sinabihan niya ako na kailangan kong mag-contribute. Kailangan kong tumulong sa team. Alam niyang tapos niya iyung dengue,” said Melecio,who also had five rebounds and three assists.

- Advertisement -

Melecio made all of his baskets in the final period, with his perimeter shot with 7:05 left allowing La Salle to take upper hand for good, 64-63,

From there, Melecio struck again and again, with his split charity and putback off his missed freebie in the remaining 6:07 sending the Green Archers ahead, 68-63.

“During the second and third quarter, some of our small guys were hesitant to take those threes. That’s why I told them at halftime, that you have to be confident on those shots.  That’s because we spend 1 and a half hours on those in practice. Make it count this time,” said La Salle coach Aldin Ayo.

Ben Mbala led with 27 points for La Salle, while Santi Santillan had 15.

Santillan hit a triple with 2:25 to go, and it came after the Falcons fought to within a point, 70-71.

His trey, followed by  Melecio’s rebound and assist to Ricci Rivero’s dunk allowed La Salle another chance to stay in front, 76-70, with 1:29 left.

They made their presence felt in the fourth period, and at a time when the Falcons struggled with African reinforcement Papi Sarr in foul trouble after banging bodies with Mbala in the last 8:28 of the third.

With Sarr hardly a factor in the shaded lanes, La Salle took a nine-point edge, 79-70, off Melecio’s putback and Rivero’s split with 36.5 seconds.

The Falcons, who lost a Final Four showdown with La Salle for a second straight season, got 17 points from Jerrick Ahanmisi.

Rob Manalang shot 16 while Tyrus Hill hit 10.

Sarr was limited to six, and it was his presence in the first period that helped Adamson move away with a 10-1 run that put them in front, 19-9, and ahead by 15, 52-37, midway in the third period.

BOX SCORES

DLSU 82 – Mbala 27, Santillan 15, Rivero R 14, Melecio 7, Montalbo 5, Caracut 4, Tratter 3, Go 3, Rivero P 2, Baltazar 2, Paraiso 0

ADAMSON 75 – Ahanmisi 17, Manalang 16, Hill 10, Lojera 7, Sarr 6, Bernardo 6, Manganti 5, Espeleta 4, Pingoy 2, Zaldivar 2, Ochea 0

QUARTER SCORES: 11-21, 33-39, 54-63, 82-75

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles