JC Macalalag's breakout week lifts DLSU to back-to-back victories in UAAP Season 89

JC Macalalag stepped up for De La Salle University in the absence of star guard Jacob Cortez, helping the Green Archers string together consecutive victories to open the second round of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.

Cortez sustained an apparent knee injury in the second quarter of La Salle’s Round 2 opener against the University of the East on Wednesday, leaving Macalalag to help shoulder the scoring load with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting in the Green Archers’ 97-88 overtime escape that snapped their two-game skid.

The dependable forward sustained his fine play against the University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, erupting for a career-high 28 points to lead La Salle to a 92-80 win.

Macalalag’s breakout week helped propel the defending champions back above .500, improving their record to 5-4 on the season.

The strong showing also earned him the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week citation for October 21 to 25, edging fellow Green Archers Joaquin Tovera and Doy Dungo, University of the Philippines’ Veejay Pre, National University’s Tebol Garcia, and Ateneo de Manila University’s Kieffer Alas for the men’s weekly honor.

McAlary helps UST sweep first round

On the women’s side, UST’s Erinn McAlary claimed the weekly honors after helping the Growling Tigresses complete a sweep of their first round assignments.

The second-year Filipino-Australian showcased her versatility in Wednesday’s matchup against the Lady Archers, finishing with nine points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.

She followed up that performance against the University of the Philippines with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds in a tightly-contested matchup.

McAlary edged fellow Growling Tigresses Brigette Santos and Karylle Sierba, Far Eastern University’s Victoria Pasilang, and UP’s Camille Nolasco for the women’s weekly citation.

—Keith Barbarona/JMB, GMA News