UAAP 85: DLSU blasts UST; Blue Eagles soar

De La Salle held University of Santo Tomas main gunner Nic Cabañero to 10 points in a 83-63 victory Wednesday night in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena.

Schonny Winston had 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, CJ Austria scored 13 points while Mike Phillips and Kevin Quiambao each scored 11 points for the Green Archers. Phillips also pulled down 11 rebounds.

Rebounding from last Saturday’s 69-72 loss to defending champion University of the Philippines, De La Salle turned to its defense in the third period. The Green Archers limited the Growling Tigers to just six points.

De La Salle moved in a tie with UST and University of the East at 1-1 in the young season.

“We cannot dwell on that,” said coach Derrick Pumaren, referring to Green Archers’ fourth quarter meltdown against the Fighting Maroons in the opener.

“The season has just started. The important thing is we were able to bounce back today.”

The victory was a big confidence booster for De La Salle in their rivalry game against Ateneo on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After an explosive 33-point outing against the Falcons on opening day, Cabañero could only shoot 5-of-20 from the field. Pumaren was happy that the Green Archers were able to scout the Cebuano well.

Migs Pangilinan took over the scoring mantle for UST with 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Paul Manalang and Senegal’s Adama Faye had 10 points apiece.

In the other game, Ateneo used its patented third quarter run to beat National University, 77-60, and gain a piece of the early lead.

The Blue Eagles opened a 60-45 advantage at the end of the third period and led as much as 22 points the rest of the way to improve to 2-0 in the young season.

“I think there was an improvement over our first game in terms of our offense,” said coach Tab Baldwin after Ateneo moved into a tie with titleholder University of the Philippines on top. “Defensively, we are still solid but we can be better.”

The Bulldogs showed grit in the early goings and Baldwin noticed that they will be a tough side to deal with as the competition progresses.

“I’m really pleased to get the win. I think NU is going to be a difficult team throughout the season. They will gonna get better and better,” said
Baldwin.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Ange Kouame had a double-double for the second straight game with 17 points and 12 rebounds to go with three blocks and three assists while Forthsky Padrigao chipped in 13 points, five assists, four boards, and three steals for the Blue Eagles.

The win will put Ateneo in good stead heading into Sunday’s rivalry game with De La Salle at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Michael Malonzo led the Bulldogs with 13 points and nine rebounds.

The scores:
DLSU (83) — Winston 19, Austria 13, M. Phillips 11, Quiambao 11, Estacio 6, Abadam 6, B. Phillips 5, Nonoy 3, Blanco 3, Manuel 2, Nwankwo 2, Cortez 2, Escandor 0, Macalalag 0, Buensalida 0.

UST (63) — Pangilinan 11, Faye 10, Cabañero 10, Manalang 10, Garing 6, Lazarte 5, Escobido 4, Mantua 3, Calimag 3, Laure 1, Manaytay 0, Duremdes 0, Magdangal 0, Herrera 0, Gesalem 0.

Quarterscores: 30-21, 47-40, 65-46, 83-63

Ateneo (77) — Kouame 17, Padrigao 13, Ildefonso 12, Ballungay 10, Andrade 9, Koon 6, Lazaro 5, Gomez 3, Daves 2, Chiu 0, Garcia 0, Quitevis 0, Fornilos 0, Lao 0, Ong 0.

NU (60) — Malonzo 13, Clemente 9, Manansala 9, Baclaan 7, Figueroa 6, Yu 4, Galinato 3, Palacielo 3, Minerva 2, John 2, Tulabut 2, Mahinay 0, Padrones 0.

Quarterscores: 20-15, 38-30, 60-45, 77-60