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| Ben Mbala and the rest of the Green Archers once again laid the smackdown to the UST Tigers |
By Ricky
Manliguis
QUEZON CITY—De
La Salle were relentless once again, sending the University of Santo Tomas to
its worst loss in 13 years with a 99-65 win in the first game of UAAP LXXIX men’s
basketball tournament Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.
In a repeat
of its 100-62 mastery over the season hosts a month ago, the Taft-based
dribblers used a strong second quarter and a stronger second half to improve its
unbeaten record to 11-0 and a stronghold on the first twice-to-beat Final Four
slot.
It could also go for an automatic finals ticket if they sweep its last three matches.
Leading
after the first quarter, 19-15, the Archers stepped up further on the gas in
the next period to outscore the Tigers, 26-8, for a 45-23 halftime cushion.
La Salle’s
dominance intensified in the next 20 minutes, with the lead going as high as
46, 93-47, on a Julian Sargent bucket, time down to 70 seconds.
Coach Aldin
Ayo took the opportunity to experiment with his line-up, even fielding bigmen
Sargent, Ben Mbala, Jason Perkins, Abu Tratter, and Mark Anthony Dyke at one
point in the match.
Mbala was in
his dominant self again as the Cameroonian poured in 21 points, 15 rebounds and
five blocks, while Jeron Teng had 16 to go along with four rebounds and three
assists.
Back-up slotman Justine Baltazar also produced a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.
The 43-point
loss was the worst loss since 2003 for the Tigers, which fell to its sixth
loss in seven outings for a 3-8 win-loss card. Louie Vigil was the lone bright
spot, scoring 18 points, seven boards, and three assists.
The scores:
La Salle 99 — Mbala 21, Teng 16, Baltazar 10, R. Rivero 9, Perkins
8, Torres 5, Montalbo 5, Tratter 4, Sargent 4, Dyke 4, Paraiso 4, P. Rivero 4,
Melecio 3, Caracut 2.
UST 56 — Vigil 18, Subido 9, Sheriff 6, Huang 6, Lee 5, Arana 5,
Lao 3, Faundo 2, De Guzman 2, Afoakwah 0, Macasaet 0.
Quarterscores: 19-15; 45-23; 68-37; 99-56.
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