Green Archers shoot down Tams for sixth win

De La Salle Green Archers listed its sixth win as it eked out a victory against the FEU Tamaraws, 65-57, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Green Archers dominated the last minutes of the game, making an 8-0 run, capped by an Aljun Melecio dagger trey, 62-53 with 1:15 left. Arvin Tolentino tried to stop the bleeding for the Tamaraws with his own three-pointer with less than a minute left, but it was not enough as Santi Santillan sealed the deal, 65-57.

Photo by JK Carandang

The Morayta-based squad chased the Archers with a 13-pt performance against DLSU’s 14 at the third period. It was a tight game as well during the first half as they locked in at 34 before the break. The Tams charged during the second period with 21 points against La Salle’s 20, while the Archers had a slim 14-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Aljun Melecio widens La Salle’s lead to nine, 62-53, with 1:15.4 left in Q4 @gmanews pic.twitter.com/JLYlvXvEsg

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) October 27, 2018

DLSU head coach Louie Gonzalez said this game is a big help for their campaign to be included in the Final Four. He also praised captain Kib Montalbo for the show of leadership all throughout the game.

“This game I really credit to my coaching staff, especially to my seniors, my captain Kib Montalbo. Throughout the game, Kib was really trying to put everybody on the same page. Especially when they made a run, yung leadership ni Kib talagang lumabas doon. I give this game to him for guiding his teammates and as a senior, alam niya napakaimportante nf larong ‘to, para sa team and also for him, playing his last year,” Gonzalez said about Montalbo.

“I told them, a win tonight, malaking tulong para sa campaign namin and sa target namin of making it to the Final Four though alam naming malayo pa. This game, malaking tulong talaga,” he added.

Brandon Bates shined today for DLSU, making seven points and 14 rebounds.

“This is what I really want. ‘Yung team na pini-picture ko, anytime, any day, kahit sino sa players ko would come out and will do his best para makatulong. Luckily tonight, it was Brandon’s night,” Gonzalez said.

The rookie coach also praised Bates’ effort and said that the big man deserves to shine. “This guy will do everything to help this team. He’s a winner that’s why he’s a part of this team,” Gonzalez added.

Bates, meanwhile, is grateful for the team’s confidence in him. “It’s nice to hear that. I’m not too confident myself but tonight, the coaching staff, managing staff, and the players had confidence in me to step up, do what I need to do.”

For his comeback after serving a two-game suspension, Arvin Tolentino led the Tamaraws with 20 points.

The Archers are now at solo third with six wins and two losses while FEU slides to 5-6.

La Salle will return to action on Saturday against UST while the Tamaraws will face UE on Sunday.

Scores:

• DLSU (65) — Baltazar - 15, Santillan - 12, Melecio - 7, Montalbo - 7, Caracut - 7, Bates - 7, Serrano - 5, Dyke - 5, Manuel - 0, Go - 0.
• FEU (57) — Tolentino - 20, Parker - 6, Stockton - 6, Escoto - 5, Inigo - 5, Ramirez - 5, Cani - 4, Comboy - 3, Ebona - 3, Bienes - 0, Tuffin - 0.

—LBG, GMA News