The DLSU Green Archers are vying to get back on top in UAAP men’s basketball in UAAP Season 88.
La Salle got tested early in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball, squeezing past Adamson, 60-58, on opening day at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila Saturday, Sept. 20.
Despite being a heavy favorite against the Nash Racela-coached Falcons, the Green Archers were tested until the final buzzer.
Cedrick Manzano led the AdU cavalry in its attempt for an upset that saw La Salle behind late in the fourth quarter, 53-56, after an Earl Medina triple.
But Jacob Cortez converted on back-to-back baskets before feeding Mason Amos for a dagger triple with 7.9 ticks left to bail DLSU out of trouble.
[RELATED STORY: Jacob Cortez wills La Salle past Adamson for rousing start in UAAP men's basketball]
After the match, Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson said that they expected Adamson to be a tough nut to crack from the get-go.
“I think teams, people, are underestimating Adamson. It was a good fight whenever we play them,” Robinson said.
“They got what they wanted, they always play teams in a low-scoring ball game, so we were right there where they wanted us to be. And that’s just the start of our season.”
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Topex Robinson high-fives Mike Phillips in La Salle's match against Adamson in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball Saturday, Sept. 20. | Photo: The UAAP
Misfiring Archers
Many of Robinson’s wards struggled against Adamson’s stingy defense — among them was late-game hero Amos.
Before his dagger three, Amos only had three points, going 1-for-7 from the field.
Kean Baclaan was unable to make a basket in his 23 minutes on the floor and only had a point to show for his La Salle debut with a free throw.
Mason Amos reacts during La Salle and Adamson's opening match in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball Saturday, Sept. 20. | Photo: The UAAP
Robinson praised the Falcons, while noting the improvements that his charges need to work on.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done. A lot of challenges among these guys. I guess we’re just trying to really get better as we go along," Robinson said.
"But again, Adamson is really a strong team," he added.
Cortez was among the few players who steadied the ship for Robinson’s team.
The son of former DLSU star Mike Cortez churned out 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting while adding four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Mike Phillips also shared the heavy load, coming up with a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds, he laced with three steals and four blocks
Manzano paced the Falcons with 19 points.
La Salle aims for back-to-back wins as it clashes with season host University of Santo Tomas at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Saturday, Sept. 27.
Meanwhile, Adamson plays defending champion University of the Philippines Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
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Luisa Morales is a sportswriter with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team and mixed martial arts.