Aljun Melecio presided over a big assault in the first quarter and the La Salle Green Archers kept the momentum until the end in a 99-72 plastering of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers yesterday in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“For me, it’s just another game. Gusto ko lang manalo at mag-bounce back sa loss namin sa UP,” said Melecio, who scored 19 points as the Green Archers came up with their most productive game in the young season.
The winning output of the Archers, who rebounded from their 61-67 loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, surpassed those of the University of the East Warriors (Far Eastern U, 90-65) and the Adamson Falcons (UE, 90-76).
And with Justine Baltazar providing muscle underneath, the Green Archers had little trouble in coming up with their first win against a squad handled by their former coach Aldin Ayo.
The Archers showed Ayo that they meant business as they drew 10 points from Melecio in the first period, where they coasted to a 28-13 lead.
Jollo Go shot all of his 11 points in the second canto, with his triple in the remaining 3:24 giving La Salle a 24-point spread, 46-22.
“That’s the primary game plan–for us, today, to play 40 minutes composed. We play 40 minutes at the highest level. Good thing they all played, everybody contributed,” said Green Archers’ coach Louie Gonzalez, who added that the win will keep La Salle in shape when it meets defending champion and arch-rival Ateneo at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The 6’8” Baltazar also came up with his season’s best after he dominated with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
The Growling Tigers, who missed big man Steve Akomo because of a bum stomach, got 16 points from Henri Subido, while Marvin Lee and Zach Huang had 13.
Meanwhile, defending four-time champion National University extended its remarkable perfect streak to 69, while De La Salle pulled off a stunner Wednesday in the UAAP Season 81 women’s basketball tournament.
Ria Nabalan scattered the Lady Bulldogs improved to 5-0 this season with a runaway 92-62 win over Adamson University.
Rookie center Angel Quingco scored 13 points and hauled down 21 rebounds as the Lady Archers bested University of Santo Tomas, 73-63, to tie their victims at 3-2 in third place.
Reigning MVP Jack Danielle Animam and Kaye Pingol each had 14 markers while Congo’s Rhena Itesi had a double-double outing of 13 points and 10 rebounds for NU, which led by as much as 37 points.
De La Salle unloaded a telling 15-0 run to turn a two-point deficit to a 64-51 advantage courtesy of a Charmaine Torres basket with 4:15 remaining in the game witnessed by four-time WNBA All-Star and Los Angeles Sparks legend Alana Beard.
Congo’s Grace Irebu had 23 points, 18 rebounds and two blocks while Tin Capilit was the other Tigresses player in twin digits with 11 markers.
Tin Camacho had 17 points, five boards, four steals and two assists while Nathalie Prado chipped in 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals for the Lady Falcons, who fell at 2-3.