De La Salle averts meltdown, eliminates NU (Sabong News)
Author
Carlo Anolin
Date
MAY 01 2022
Joaqui Manuel caught fire from beyond the arc as De La Salle averted a fourth quarter meltdown to eke out a 76-65 win against National University in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Sunday night, May 1.
The Green Archers, already secured of a No. 3 spot in the Final Four with a 9-5 record, played the spoilers’ role after eliminating the Bulldogs, who finished with a 6-8 slate.
De La Salle’s win also paved the way for Far Eastern University (7-7) grabbing the last Final Four slot.
Manuel delivered 20 points powered by four triples along with five rebounds for the Archers, who rested Justine Baltazar and Deschon Winston, while Michael Phillips had another monstrous performance with 15 points and 15 rebounds and Kurt Lojera had 11 points.
“I think we still played hard. Two of our starters did not play today. And the guys had to step up,” said De La Salle head coach Derrick Pumaren.
Baltazar and Winston missed out the game due to a sprain and back spasms, respectively.
NU clawed its way back heading into the payoff period to put the match within striking distance, 54-48, after an Issa Gaye basket off a Janjan Felicilda dish.
The Bulldogs came as close by two points only, 58-56, midway through the fourth quarter before the Archers unloaded a 9-0 run to rebuild another 11-point lead capped by Lojera’s jumper and reverse layup, 67-56.
Time, however, did not side with NU as the lead was too much to overcome despite the late efforts of Mike Malonzo, Steve Nash Enriquez, and Patrick Yu.
Jake Figueroa led the Bulldogs with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and six steals while Malonzo chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds.
