THE La Salle Green Archers are in the Final Four.
Ben Mbala and Jeron Teng led the way for La Salle, which secured the first twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four semifinals after they smothered the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 99-56, Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Mbala struck with 21 points, and had 15 rebounds, while Teng added 16 points for the Green Archers, who also earned a twice-to-beat incentive in posting their 11th straight win in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
Mbala’s performance was also his 11th double-double in a row for the season.
With three games to go in the elimination round, La Salle can earn an automatic berth in the finals with a sweep of all its three remaining games.
Louie Vigil tallied 18 points and had seven rebounds for the Growling Tigers, who have lost six of their last seven matches.
The Growling Tigers took a five-point lead from the start before La Salle caught up with them.
La Salle’s 34-11 blast put them way out ahead, 45-23, at the half.
Julian Sargent’s layup later increased their advantage to as high as 46, 93-47, with 2:10 to go.
Prior to that moment, Sargent was flanked on the floor by Mbala, Mark Dyke, Jason Perkins, and Abu Tratter – meaning they had no pointman.
Games Wednesday
(Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. La Salle vs UE
4 p.m. UP vs NU