UAAP: Archers stymie Bulldogs late for first win

The DLSU Green Archers shook off a sluggish start to defeat the NU Bulldogs, 80-76, and take their first win of the UAAP Men’s Basketball competition on Wednesday at the MOA Arena.

Aljun Melecio came up big for the Archers, hitting 19 points, despite of a 1 of 7 clip from deep. Justine Baltazar, meanwhile, scored 17 points with 12 boards. Jollo Go and Santi Santillan also had 10 apiece off the bench.

The Bulldogs took the lead midway through the first, stretching it to 11 points, before La Salle chipped away at the lead heading into the halftime break. Come the third, Jollo Go and Santi Santillan established an eight-point lead for DLSU.

The Bulldogs refused to let up, with Dave Ildefonso hitting two straight entering the final two minutes to tie the game at 74-all. A Troy Rike basket gave NU the lead, but Melecio hit 2 of three from the stripe to tie the game anew.

In the final 1:25, La Salle outscored NU, 4-0, to take the win.

Dave Ildefonso led NU with 19 points, while John Clemente added 12. Troy Rike was efficient off the bench, hitting 15 with six boards in just 18 minutes on the floor. — BM, GMA News