La Salle books return trip to Finals, survives Adamson

( King Archer Ben Mbala attempting a shot over Adamson center Papi Sarr. Photo by Marlo Cueto/ spin.ph)

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers booked a ticket to the Finals after escaping the gritty Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 82-75, in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum Saturday.

Down by nine points entering the final quarter, the Green Archers unleashed a 14-0 run at the start of the period to turn a 54-63 disadvantage to a 68-63 lead.

La Salle dominated the payoff period, 28-12, with Aljun Melecio scoring all of his seven markers on the canto.

The Soaring Falcons started the game on fire, leading DLSU by 10 at the end of first quarter, 21-11. Tyrus Hill, Robbie Manalang and Kurt Lojera each had five points in the quarter.

Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren lamented the officiating with eye-popping discrepancies on fouls called and free throws awarded. Adamson had 33 fouls resulting to 39 free-throw attempts for La Salle. DLSU was called for just 12 fouls resulting to five charity stripe attempts for AdU the entire game.

Reigning MVP Ben Mbala led the Archers with 27 points and 14 rebounds while Santi Santillan had 15 markers and eight boards. Ricci Rivero displayed an all-around game of 14 points, six caroms, six dimes, two steals and two blocks.

The backcourt tandem of Manalang and Jerrick Ahanmisi paced Adamson with 17 and 16 markers, respectively. Foreign player Papi Sarr was limited to just six markers in 21 minutes.

DLSU will wait for the winner between Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles and Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

Game 1 of the UAAP Finals will be on Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Mall of Asia arena.