La Salle nips Ateneo, forces do-or-die in UAAP Finals

(Photo grabbed from ABSCBN Sports)

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers trounced the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, 92-83, sending the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball tournament best-of-three Finals to a deciding Game 3 at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.

The All-or-Nothing Game 3 will be on December 3, Sunday, at the same venue.

The Green Archers dominated the third frame, 26-8, which saw them erase a 21-point deficit with a strong showing by the duo of back-to-back MVP Ben Mbala and mythical five member Ricci Rivero.

A floater by Archers big man Santi Santillan midway through the third quarter tied the game at 56-56.

Ateneo started the game on the right track, making 32 points while limiting DLSU to just 17 points.

Mbala led La Salle with 20 points, 16 boards, three steals and four blocks while Rivero added 18 markers on 8/11 shooting clip.

The Taft-based squad shot 32/66 from the field, good for 48.48 percent. Ateneo made just 28/73 field goal attempts, good for 38.36 percent.

Thirdy Ravena had 20 points and four assists against seven turnovers for Ateneo.

Aaron Black played his best game this season with 15 markers, 11 of it coming in the payoff period in just 13 minutes of play.