UAAP: Macalalag, Dungo tow undermanned La Salle past UST

JC Macalalag and Doy Dungo powered De La Salle University past the University of Santo Tomas, 92-80, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

Macalalag and Dungo delivered career-high performances to lead the Green Archers to victory, improving their record to 5-4.

Macalalag erupted for 28 points, highlighted by six three-pointers, while Dungo added 24 points to lead the Taft-based squad.

La Salle held a 71-67 advantage at the end of the third quarter before opening the final frame with an 18-3 run to pull away and take an 85-70 lead.

Mark Llemit and Amiel Acido tried to rally UST, but Macalalag answered with another triple to keep La Salle ahead, 88-79.

Collins Akowe split his free throws after being fouled by Henry Agunanne, giving the Growling Tigers another opportunity to cut the deficit. However, Joaquin Tovera sank free throws after an Akowe foul before adding a layup to seal the victory for the Green Archers.

Aside from his scoring outburst, Macalalag contributed three rebounds and three assists, while Dungo finished with four rebounds and four assists. Tovera chipped in 15 points.

La Salle played without Jacob Cortez, who was sidelined by a swollen knee, and Lebron Jhames Daep, who was nursing an ankle sprain.

For UST, Acido led the way with 20 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Landyn Jumawan added 18 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Llemit posted 15 points, nine assists, and four rebounds. Ice Danting contributed 12 points, and Akowe recorded a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

The loss dropped the Growling Tigers to a 4-5 record.

Scores:

La Salle 92 — Macalalag 28, Dungo 24, Tovera 15, Abadam 9, Agunanne 6, Marasigan 4, Pablo 3, Amos 3, Cortez 0, Gagate 0.

UST 80 — Acido 20, Jumawan 18, Llemit 15, Danting 12, Akowe 11, Cañete 2, Buenaflor 2, Chio 0, Esteban 0.

Quarters: 25-19, 47-44, 57-61, 92-80.

—JKC, GMA News