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| JC Macalalag stepped up in "Chapter 100" of the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry. Luis Fabregar |
PASAY—De La Salle University pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat archrival Ateneo de Manila University 83-76 on Wednesday night before 10,725 fans at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The victory gave the defending champions their second straight win and moved La Salle to 3-2, level with Ateneo in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball standings.
The game also marked the 100th meeting between the two schools in their UAAP men’s basketball rivalry, with the series now tied at 50 wins apiece.
Neither team was able to establish sustained control through the first three quarters, with the lead changing hands several times before La Salle made its decisive push in the final period.
Jacob Cortez sparked the Green Archers’ fourth-quarter surge, scoring eight of his 12 points during an 11-2 run that gave La Salle separation.
Cortez also finished with five assists, three rebounds and a steal, while Joaquin Tovera and JC Macalalag each scored 15 points for the Archers.
La Salle coach Topex Robinson said the team understood the significance of the rivalry game but stayed focused on its preparation.
“We really discussed how important this is for everyone, so we just toughed it out,” Robinson said.
“We did something we committed to and we said whatever happens, we have to stick with what we prepared for.”
Ateneo was led by Shawn Tuano with 17 points and Jared Bahay with 14 as the Blue Eagles saw their two-game winning streak come to an end.
Kieffer Alas, who entered the game as one of Ateneo’s leading contributors, was held to five points on 2-of-11 shooting.
The result leaves both teams at 3-2 as the first round of the UAAP season continues.
Ateneo will try to rebound against Far Eastern University on Saturday, while La Salle will seek its third consecutive victory when it faces last season’s finals opponent, the University of the Philippines, on Sunday.
With the rivalry series now level, La Salle leaves the 100th chapter of its rivalry against Ateneo with a boost to build momentum before another key matchup against the Fighting Maroons.
The Scores:
La Salle 83 — Tovera 15, Macalalag 15, Cortez 12, Dungo 10, Marasigan 6, Amos 6, Pablo 6, Gagate 6, Agunanne 4, Abadam 3, Sardon 0.
Ateneo 76 — Tuano 17, Bahay 14, Rogers 9, Roberts 9, Espinosa 8, Kapihe 6, Cainglet 6, Alas 5, Baruwa 2, Leal 0, Bongo 0, Urbina 0.
Quarterscores: 21-24, 45-43, 63-62, 83-76.
