The DLSU Green Archers rode a big second half to flip the script on the Adamson Soaring Falcons, getting a winning start in the UAAP side of the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
Kean Baclaan involved himself in key runs in the second half as the DLSU Green Archers drubbed the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 65-47, in the opening game of the UAAP group at the FilOil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup on Sunday.
Baclaan, who will play his first UAAP season with La Salle later this year, first helped the Green Archers gain control in the third quarter during an 18-5 run to flip a 27-31 deficit to a 45-36 advantage.
Then in the fourth quarter, fit-again Earl Abadam made his presence felt to push the La Salle lead to 11, 50-39, with 9:46 left.
Austin Ronzone attempted to will the Falcons back to the game with a triple that cut the lead to six, 45-51, with 5:28 ticks remaining, but La Salle went on another 6-0 run to push the lead back to double digits, 57-45, after a Baclaan layup with 3:41 to go.
The rematch of last year’s Final Four matchup in the UAAP saw an all-around team effort for La Salle, with eight players scoring at least four points in the victory.
Baclaan had a team-high 12 points while also manning the offense with eight assists. He also had four rebounds and two steals.
Abadam, for his part, had nine markers. Mike Phillips did the dirty work on the boards with 14 rebounds to highlight his stat line along with seven points, three assists, three steals, and one block.
Jacob Cortez and Mason Amos added eight markers each for the Green Archers.
Earl Medina paced Adamson with 14 points, three rebounds, and two assists in the losing effort.
In the other results, NCAA matchups saw close games between fierce rivals.
During the opener, the Letran Knights nipped the Arellano Chiefs, 72-68, while the Benilde Blazers exacted revenge on NCAA champion Mapúa University, 58-56, in a rematch of Season 100 Finals.