UAAP: La Salle downs UST to open second round campaign

De La Salle University took down the University of Santo Tomas, 86-77, to open its second-round campaign in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Green Archers led by as many as 22 points, 52-30, before back-to-back triples from Forthsky Padrigao and Ice Danting trimmed the deficit to 16 at halftime, 52-36.

UST tried to mount a comeback and came within six, 76-70, with 3:29 left in the fourth quarter before an EJ Gollena triple pushed La Salle ahead, 79-70. Collins Akowe’s split from the line, followed by a jumper, cut the lead to 79-73 with 1:30 remaining, but another basket from Gollena gave the Green Archers enough cushion heading into the final minute.

Akowe trimmed the deficit once more, but the Taft-based squad held off UST with an Earl Abadam layup and JC Macalalag’s free throws sealing La Salle’s third straight win.

Macalalag tallied a career-high 18 points built on four triples, while Jacob Cortez added 12. Abadam and Vhoris Marasigan chipped in 10 points apiece.

Akowe posted 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Gelo Crisostomo finished with 15 as UST absorbed its second straight loss.

Both teams now hold similar 5-3 records. 

Scores: 

DLSU 86 – Macalalag 18, Cortez 12, Marasigan 10, Abadam 10, Daep 8, Gollena 8, Phillips 6, Dungo 5, Quines 5, Pablo 4, Nwankwo 0.
     
UST 77 – Akowe 20, Crisostomo 15, Llemit 13, Cabañero 12, Danting 5, Acido 4, Padrigao 3, Paranada 3, Calum 2, Buenaflor 0, Estacio 0.
       
Quarters: 24-17, 52-36, 64-51, 86-77.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News