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UAAP

La Salle escapes late NU run to notch first win


The DLSU Green Archers survived a late run from the NU Bulldogs to register their first win in UAAP Season 82, 83-82, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A John Lloyd Clemente triple at the 2:37 mark of the fourth period ignited a run for the Bulldogs, 81-73, with Shaun Ildefonso making things work for the Sampaloc-based to cap a 12-0 run and take over the lead, 82-81.

But in the dying seconds of the game, a Kurt Lojera jumper saved the day for DLSU to seal the deal for the Taft-based squad, 83-82.

Despite the win, DLSU head coach Gian Nazario said the game will be a learning experience since they are a new team.

"I would say as much as 'yung outcome nung game today, we were really thinking that Coach Jamike would always throw out different kinds of defenses. We were kinda prepared for that. What we cant really address at this moment is the inexperience of our team. We're new staff, new team, when a team like that rattles you out, yun yung hahanpain niyo, yung familiarty," Nazario said.

"It showed in the last quarter that we were rattled. Good thing we were able to push through. Kurt was able to make a jumper on the short corner. Just like what we always say, we just want to get better. It's a good learning experience from us," he added.

DLSU big man Justine Baltazar led the Archers with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Jamie Malonzo also made a double-double performance with 14 markers and 11 boards, while Aljun Melecio listed 10 points.

For the Bulldogs, Shaun Ildefonso led the pack with 26 points, while Clemente scored 19.

It was another heartbreaker for NU but Coach Jamike Jarin believes the ball will soon bounce their way. "That's the way the ball bounces. You can't win them all. I thank all the boys for playing our hearts out," Jarin told reporters after the game.

"Kudos to our boys, they fought tooth and nail, got the lead and even had the chance to win it. The ball just didn't bounce the way we want it to be," he added.

With the win, the Archers now hold a 1-1 record while the Bulldogs are now at 0-2. — RSJ, GMA News

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