La Salle squeaks past Ateneo for first rivalry win after 5-year skid

After almost five years, De La Salle University has moved past Ateneo de Manila University in UAAP men's basketball.

On Sunday, the Green Archers eked out a win against the Blue Eagles, 83-78, in UAAP Season 85 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, La Salle’s first win against Ateneo since November 2017.

La Salle was leading 65-64 early in the fourth period before Kai Ballungay drilled a triple to regain the lead for Ateneo.

EJ Abadam tied the game with almost 7 minutes left before Garcia and Evan Nelle answered each other with triples to tie the game again at 70.

Gab Gomez gave the lead for the Katipunan-based squad past with less than six minutes left before Evan Nelle again tied the game at 72. Schonny Winston sank two freebies to push DLSU to 74.

A split from Abadam off a Padrigao foul extended La Salle’s lead before a Michael Phillips shot put them to 77.

A split from Dave Ildefonso put them at 73, while Winston put up a shot with less than two minutes, which was answered by Padrigao. Winston again pushed La Salle’s lead to 81 at the 1:19 mark.

With 47.3 seconds left, Ballungay cut their deficit to three. At the 07.0 mark, Nelle sank two freebies which sealed the deal for the Archers.

Winston tallied 25 markers, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Nelle listed 10 points for the green-and-white.

Meanwhile, Kouame posted 22 points on top of 12 rebounds and 2 assists to lead Ateneo. Ballungay added 19 points on top of his 10 rebounds.

DLSU head coach Derrick Pumaren said their players' optimism is one of the reasons why they won.

"Well, I think the boys worked really hard. They believed that they could beat Ateneo and it really worked," he said.

Earlier, National University defeated University of Santo Tomas, 69-63.

UAAP action will return on Wednesday.

—JMB, GMA News