DLSU halts ADMU, prolongs finals series
Down by 21 points in the first half, the De La Salle Green Archers on Wednesday evened the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball finals series versus the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Araneta Coliseum, forcing a game 3.
Photo from Rappler
The defending champions made a comeback in the second half, and closed the game in favor of them, 92-83, prompting a do-or-die.
The Blue Eagles were able to make a double-digit lead in as much as 21 points in the first half. Anton Asistio was able to launch 4/5 of his 3-point shots in the first two periods.
Due to the great intensity of the game, reigning MVP Ben Mbala got off the bench early for drawing two personal fouls in the first quarter alone.
Efforts from Mbala, Andrei Caracut, Ricci Rivero, and Aljun Melecio, made the Archers pull off a 26-8 run in the third quarter. They evened the game for the first time since the first quarter after Mbala’s shot, 56-all.
Coming in the last two minutes of the game, the Archers preserved an 11-point lead, 88-77.
The Eagles, led by Thirdy Ravena and Aaron Black, did not lose hope as they continued to fight in regaining their lead, but were not enough to lift the team.
Big man Mbala was able to make 20 points and 16 rebounds while Rivero contributed 18 points and five rebounds.
Caracut finished strong with 13 points, prompting his best game of the season.
The do-or-die game is set on Sunday, December 4, at the same venue.
SCORES:
DLSU 92 – Mbala 20, Rivero R 18, Caracut 13, Melecio 12, Montalbo 9, Santillan 8, ivero P 8, Tratter 4, Tero 0, Go 0, Baltazar 0
ATENEO 83 – Ravena 20, Black 15, Asistio 13, Go 11, Nieto Ma 10, Ikeh 6, Mendoza 5, Tolentino 2, Tio 1, Verano 0, Nieto Mi 0, Mamuyac 0, Porter 0
QUARTERS: 15-32, 42-51, 68-59, 92-83
