After losing three of their first five games, the DLSU Green Archers have now won three in a row, including a sweet revenge over UST in their UAAP men’s basketball second-round UAAP clash.
The grass is definitely greener this UAAP Season 88 second round for the now-surging La Salle Green Archers.
DLSU managed to stave off a late UST rally before carving out a 86-77 triumph, extending its winning streak to three in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball on Saturday, October 25 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
JC Macalalag poured a team-high 18 points to pace the Green Archers, as reigning Player of the Week Jacob Cortez added a solid outing of 12 markers and four assists.
After Gelo Crisostomo hit a three-pointer to cut La Salle’s once 22-point lead to six at 76-70, EJ Gollena responded with a crucial triple that pushed the Green Archers’ advantage to 79-70 with 2:41 remaining.
Gollena wasn’t done yet.
With 41 seconds left, he drilled a dagger three-pointer that restored DLSU's lead to 82-73 with 43 seconds left. The Taft-based squad improved their record to 5-3 and a tie for second place with defending champion UP and UST.
Rookei Collins Akowe paced UST with a 20-point, 14-rebound double in a losing effort as Crisostomo chipped in 15.
With momentum on their side, La Salle takes on the winless UE Red Warriors in a midweek showdown at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, UST hopes to shake off a mini-slump in challenging the surging Adamson Soaring Falcons on the same day and venue.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.