La Salle whips NU, cops sixth straight win

(Season 79 MVP Ben Mbala stride against two Bulldogs. Photo by Josh Albelda | Rappler)

De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers trounced the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 101-76, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Men’s Basketball tournament on Saturday, November 4, at the Araneta Coliseum.

NU repeatedly played catch-up but always left a little bit short, unable to take the lead from La Salle which displayed a consistent offense and defense all throughout the game.

DLSU only made nine errors compared to NU’s 23 turnovers resulting into 16 DLSU points.

The defending champions picked up the pace in the last minutes of the first half, maintained the blaze, and wrapped up the third frame with a 73-57 advantage.

Reigning MVP Ben Mbala led the Green Archers with 30 points, 14 of which was from the charity stripe, eight boards and a block. Ricci Rivero contributed 16 markers, six rebounds, and two assists.

J-Jay Alejandro and rookie Enzo Joson contributed 20 points and five assists apiece for the NU Bulldogs with the former shooting 6/18 from the field while the latter shot an efficient 9/12.

The victory put La Salle to an 11-2 card and left NU in a 4-8 hole.

NU Bulldogs will try to bounce back against FEU on November 8 at the Araneta Coliseum while the Green Archers will next face its archrival Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles on Sunday, November 12, at the same venue to end the eliminations.