MANILA, Philippines – The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers came back from a slow start to take the game against the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 80-74, on Saturday, October 21 at the Araneta Coliseum. 

As the Green Archers nabbed the lead at the 4:10 mark of the third quarter, they never looked back, ending a chance for the Adamson Falcons to tie with DLSU in the standings. 

The Soaring Falcons got off to an early 11-4 start, until the Green Archers got back into focus, but was not enough to take the lead from them by the end of the first. 

Jonathan Espeleta reignited Adamson’s offense as he made a 8-0 solo run to pull away the lead. However, the second period ended with both teams in foul trouble as Keith Zaldavar, Ricci Rivero and Kristian Bernardo picked up unsportsmanslike fouls. 

The free throws made by the Green Archers lifted them to tie the game at 35-all at the half. 

The second half saw a more aggressive play between both teams as Bernardo’s forehead was found bleeding after a collision with team mate Papi Sarr early in the third quarter. 

As the Green Archers nabbed the lead, Adamson attempted to make a come back punctuated by Tyrus Hill’s second poster dunk of the season over Abu Tratter. 

Tyrus Hill just posterized Abu Tratter #UAAPSeason80 pic.twitter.com/TfZsF4hPyn

— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) October 21, 2017

Robbie Manalang waxed hot in the fourth quarter as he drained back-to-back triples to get within one from the Green Archers. Kib Montalbo collected an unsportsmanlike foul which saw Espeleta sink two charities to take back the lead for the Falcons (72-71). 

Andrei Caracut answered back with a triple that pinned the lead for the Green Archers to win the game. 

Ricci Rivero led the Green Archers with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist. Santi Santillan attained his career high and recorded a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. 

Santillan also broke out during the third quarter and was vital in securing the lead for the Green Archers as he scored 9 points in that frame alone.  

Jerrick Ahanmisi and Sarr scored 17 apiece for the Falcons, and the latter grabbed 12 boards, 6 of which were offensive.

This win improves the Green Archers’ record to 8-2, while the Adamson Soaring Faclons fall to 6-4 record in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament.

The Scores

DLSU (80) – Rivero R 17, Santillan 16, Mbala 15, Montalbo 10, Rivero P 7, Melecio 5, Tratter 5, Caracut 3, Baltazar 2, Go 0

AdU (74) – Ahanmisi 17, Sarr 17, Espeleta 12, Manalang 11, Hill 8, Lojera 3, Manganti 2, Ochea 2, Bernardo 2, Pingoy 0, Zaldivar 0, Mustre 0, Chua 0, Frias 0

Quarter Scores: 13-17, 35-35, 58-54, 80-74.

– Rappler.com