Green Archers withstand Adamson to secure Final Four spot

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers successfully ended their losing streak after prevailing over the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 64–51, earlier today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

With this win, the Green Archers secure a Final Four spot for the first time since finishing second last UAAP Season 80.

Both squads had a hard time finding their grooves in the first quarter, consecutively missing shots, committing shot clock violations, and offensive fouls left and right. With a little more than five minutes remaining in the first, both teams have only scored a total of six points, 3–3. At the end of the quarter, the La Salle trailed, 12–13.

Following the same storyline, DLSU struggled to build momentum in the second frame. It was still a chess match, until Kurt Lojera’s off-balanced layup extended La Salle’s lead to six, 27–21. Ricky Peromingan managed to put the Soaring Falcons closer with a three to end the second behind by only one, 26–27.

DLSU showed some Animo spirit coming into the third canto, with Winston taking charge. Although the Taft-based squad managed to create separation, 34–26, after back-to-back contested layups by Winston, a three by Jerome Lastimosa at the end of third put the game at level once again at 43-all.

The pressure defense of the Green Archers deemed effective as they kept the Soaring Falcons scoreless for the first four minutes of the closing quarter. Evan Nelle also began to catch fire, scoring seven quick points, bringing La Salle ahead by nine, 54–45. From then on, the Lasallians did not look back and only had eyes for the Final Four spot, taking down the Falcons, 64–51.

Winston emerged as today’s Player of the Game garnering 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block

The DLSU Green Archers seek to end the second round on a good note as they face the National University (NU) Bulldogs (6–7) on Sunday, May 1 4:30 P.M. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Boxscores:

DLSU 64 — Winston 19, Nelle 11, Lojera 10, Austria 6, Baltazar 6, M. Phillips 4, Nwankwo 4, Manuel 2, B. Phillips 2, Nonoy 0.

AdU 51 — Lastimosa 11, Peromingan 11, Sabandal 8, Zaldivar 7, Douanga 6, Manzano 4, Hanapi 4, Magbuhos 0, Colonia 0, Yerro 0, Barasi 0, Fuentebella 0, Maata 0, Jaymalin 0.

Quarterscores: 12–13, 27–26, 43–43, 64–51.