DLSU Green Archers topple NU Bulldogs

(Jollo Go attempting a basket. Photo from Rappler.com)

De La Salle University Green Archers fended off the pesky National University Bulldogs, 115-109, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Taft-based squad rallied back from an 11-point deficit, 69-80, in the 3rd period behind the efforts of Jollo Go stringing eight consecutive points.

Second year guard Ricci Rivero punctuated the game with a personal 4-0 blitz to put La Salle in the lead for good, 110-107.

Off-guard Rivero paced DLSU with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists, while sophomore Go finished with 19 markers on a ⅝ shooting clip from behind the arc.

NU rookie Jordan Bartlett tallied 23 points, 4 boards, 4 dishes in a losing effort.

The Green Archers are tied with the Ateneo Blue Eagles in first place with an immaculate 2-0 record, while Bulldogs settled for a 1-1 card.

NU Bulldogs will face UST Growling Tigers and DLSU Green Archers against AdU Falcons on September 20 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. SHAYLA RAE ROMERO