Green Archers vigorously conclude round two against NU
by: William dela Rosa and Jasmine Tan
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers (9–5) trounced the National University (NU) Bulldogs (6–8) in the second round of the UAAP Season 84, 76–65, at the SM Mall of Asia yesterday.
Despite the absence of Justine Baltazar and Deschon Winston, who opted to sit out due to injuries, Joaqui Manuel came up big and tallied a career-high 20 points and five rebounds for the Green Archers.
Back-to-back treys by Evan Nelle and Ben Phillips kickstarted the match for the Green Archers, but the defense orchestrated by both squads kept the scoring low in the first. NU managed to level things up at 10-all with a Jonas Tibayan reverse, however, Deo Cuajao sealed the first quarter with a three on the buzzer to give his team a four-point lead, 15–11.
It was a close encounter to start the second, with the Bulldogs overtaking the Green Archers at one point via a Steve Nash Enriquez freethrow, but the Taft-based squad managed to reclaim it, immediately riding on an 11–0 run to lead by 10, 28–18. NU had mini 5–0 run for themselves, but Manuel waxed hot from beyond the arc, and Michael Phillips completely shifted the momentum back to the Green Archers with a monster jam to extend La Salle’s lead to 12, 37–25, coming into the half.
A tag-team showing for La Salle in the third frame, with everyone contributing from both sides of the floor. Back-to-back blocks from Bright Nwankwo led to a Kurt Lojera fastbreak three, giving the Green Archers their largest lead of the match, 54–40. Jake Figueroa refused to throw in the white flag, as he stepped up big time and converted difficult shots and freethrows, cutting La Salle’s lead to six, 48–54, at the end of the third.
It was a different NU team that graced the fourth quarter, slashing DLSU’s lead down to one, before Manuel gave La Salle a two possession lead once again, 58–54. Both teams continued to exchange baskets, but Manuel and Lojera proved too strong for the Bulldogs, giving the Green and White an eight point lead, 67–59. NU’s missed freethrows continued to haunt them, and M.Phillips put an exclamation with yet another slam. La Salle capped the second round with a 76–65 win over NU.
Although this is a no-bearing game for the Green Archers, this served as a do-or-die match for NU. The Bulldogs are now eliminated of the Final Four contention, with FEU claiming the fourth spot.
The DLSU Green Archers will face the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons (12–2) in a Final Four format on May 3, 2PM. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Boxscores:
DLSU (76) — Manuel 20, M. Phillips 15, Lojera 11, Nelle 7, B. Phillips 7, Nonoy 5, Cu 3, Nwankwo 3, Cuajao 3, Austria 2.
NU (65) — Figueroa 20, Malonzo 13, Enriquez 6, Mahinay 6, Torres 5, Tibayan 4, Yu 3, Felicilda 2, Joson 2, Manansala 2, Gaye 2, Minerva 0, Galinato 0, Clemente 0, Ildefonso 0.
Quarterscores: 15–11, 37–25, 54–48, 76–65
