MANILA, PHILIPPINES (UPDATED) – The De La Salle Green Archers emerged victorious over the National University Bulldogs, 115-109, in a tightly-contested match on Saturday, September 16 at Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

This match featured the first meeting of rival NCAA champion coaches, Jamike Jarin and Aldin Ayo, in the UAAP. Jarin coached for the San Beda Red Lions and led them to the title in 2016, while Ayo dethroned Jarin’s San Beda team in 2015 and brought the championship back to Letran after 10 years. 

Jarin’s run-and-gun system sent the Green Archers into his “40 minutes of hell” that challenged the defending champions in this tight match. The Bulldogs were able to lead the Green Archers in the third quarter, but DLSU escaped the game with a 6-point lead.

The game tipped off to a high-scoring and fast-paced contest which saw the DLSU Green Archers lead by two at the end of the first.

The defending champions pulled the lead away in the second quarter and were able to get ahead of the Bulldogs by 10 points via the inside presence of Jollo Go and Abu Tratter. However, the Bulldogs cut their deficit 4 points by the end of the first half. 

The third quarter saw the Bulldogs power through and overtake the DLSU Green Archers. The Bulldogs initially succeeded in limiting the Green Archers’ offense, but the Green Archers bounced back big time with a 22-8 run to end the third quarter in their favor. 

The final frame saw the Green Archers reach triple digits on the scoreline, but a 6-point run by the the Bulldogs tied it at 102-all. Ricci Rivero then proved to be the man of the match as he successfully garnered the comfortable 5-point lead, preventing the Bulldogs from bouncing back in the dying seconds of the game.

Ricci Rivero led the Green Archers with a stat line of 21 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Aljun Melecio followed with 20 points and Go played his best game in the UAAP, as he tallied 19 markers.

As the Green Archers were still without Season 79 MVP Ben Mbala, DLSU rookie Santi Santillan stepped up to establish his first double-double in the UAAP with 13 points and 16 rebounds.

Jordan Bartlett racked up 23 points and made 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. JJ Alejandro continued to play consistently, scoring 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.

This win puts the Green Archers at a 2-0 record, while the Bulldogs fall to a 1-1 record in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament. 

Scores:

DLSU (115) – Ricci Rivero 21, Melecio 20, Go 19, Santillan 13, Tratter 11, Prince Rivero 10, Caracut 9, Montalbo 8, Baltazar 4.

NU (109) – Bartlett 23, Alejandro 18, Gaye 16, Salem 12, Aquino 10, Morido 5, Diputado 5, Yu 4, Lastimosa 4, Tibayan 4, Abatayo 4, Mosqueda 2, Rangel 2, Cauilan 0, Joson 0, Flores 0.

Quarter scores: 31-29, 65-61, 91-88, 115-109. 

– Rappler.com