La Salle denies Ateneo elims sweep in comeback win

(King Archer Ben Mbala attempting a shot over ADMU’s Chibueze Ikeh. Photo by Jerome Ascano/ spin.ph)

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers gave Ateneo its first loss after a 79-76 win in comeback fashion in Season 80 of the UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

DLSU captain Kib Montalbo made the go-ahead floater with 40.3 ticks left to give La Salle the lead for the rest of the game, 77-76.

“Big win. We got lucky in the endgame,” DLSU head coach Aldin Ayo said, referring to Isaac Go’s wide-open layup that rattled out of the rim with nine seconds left, before Ricci Rivero sank two freebies to seal the win.

The Archers ended the game in a huge 10-0 blitz to bring their record to 12-2, leaving Ateneo at 13-1.

With DLSU denying an Ateneo elims sweep, the UAAP will have its usual Final Four, instead of a stepladder semifinals come Friday.

Ben Mbala stuffed the stat sheet for La Salle with 28 points, 19 rebounds, six steals and six blocks. Ricci Rivero chipped in 21 markers and five rebounds.

Thirdy Ravena, Isaac Go and Matt Nieto combined 40 points for Ateneo. Anton Asistio was limited to six markers on a measly 1-9 shooting clip.

DLSU (twice-to-beat) will start its Final Four matchup against Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Saturday at the Big Dome. ADMU (twice-to-beat) will open their Final Four matchup against FEU Tamaraws on Sunday at the same venue.