Green Archers dominate NU, enter the Finals
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers dominated the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 97-73, yesterday, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. With this victory, they enter the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Finals where they will face off against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, riding on a nine-game winning streak.
It had been a long six years since the Green Archers last reached the Finals. In Season 85, the Green Archers lost the fourth-seed playoff game to Adamson, just by four points. With a new system under first-year head coach Topex Robinson, the Green Archers sealed the second seed this season in the eliminations with a twice-to-beat advantage over the third-seed Bulldogs.
“Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na makabalik ulit sa finals at makalaro,” Mark Nonoy said. He will now hold two UAAP finals on his resume, his first being with the UST Growling Tigers. He finished the game with 20 points on eight of 14 shooting from the field, earning Player of the Game honors.
In the opening quarter, Mike Malonzo drew first blood for the Bulldogs with a floater. The night started slow for the green side. NU had great rebounding the whole game, and it showed in the first quarter. With 3:50 remaining in the quarter, NU was ahead, 10-7. However, DLSU upped its efforts in the dying minutes of the first quarter as Evan Nelle knocked down a three that started a barrage of points from La Salle. The first quarter soon ended with a score of 20-14, in favor of DLSU.
The start of the second canto was marked by a battle of the guards between Nonoy and speedy Kean Baclaan. Nonoy hit back-to-back layups, followed by consecutive two-pointers from Baclaan. Together, they combined for the first 15 pts of the quarter. DLSU would slowly mount up the lead to nine, 45-36, by the end of the half. Nonoy in turn, finished the quarter with 13 points, while Baclaan had 10 points.
The third quarter saw the NU Bulldogs add to their shooting woes. NU finished the game only shooting 37.5% from the field, compared to DLSU’s 51.4%. The Green Archers just continued to extend their lead and never looked back. They entered the final period with a comfortable 20-point lead, 70-50.
The final period started with some Kevin Quiambao freethrows, complete with some MVP chants from the crowd. He would finish with 17 points, 8 rebounds, one assist, and a steal. Throughout the fourth quarter, DLSU’s lead did not drop below 17 points. Evan Nelle contributed 15 points, eight assists, five rebounds, with two steals. Jake Figueroa led the Bulldogs with 19 points, most of it in the second half, to go with nine rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Baclaan likewise collected 12 markers, seven boards, and six dimes. Omar John and Steve Nash Enriquez, who were the third and fourth-highest scorers for NU during the regular season, were rendered powerless for the remainder of the match.
Cheer for the Green and White as they take on the UP Fighting Maroons, IN Game 1 of the Finals, on Wednesday, November 29, 6 PM, at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
Box Scores:
DLSU 97 - Nonoy 20, Quiambao 17, Nelle 15, M. Phillips 11, Escandor 9, Policarpio 9, David 5, Cortez 4, Macalalag 4, Abadam 3, Austria 0, Gollena 0, Nwankwo 0
NU 73 - Figueroa 19, Malonzo 13, Baclaan 12, Palacielo 8, Yu 8, Jumamoy 7, Galinato 2, Manansala 2, Padrones 2, John 0, Lim 0, Enriquez 0, Gulapa 0, Casinillo 0, Parks 0
Quarter Scores: 20–14, 45–36, 70–50, 97–73
