UAAP: La Salle shows poise, pulls away late to outlast rival Ateneo

MANILA (UPDATED) — De La Salle University displayed poise to outlast rival Ateneo de Manila University, 83-76, in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The Green Archers found their footing in the fourth period and pushed their lead to its biggest at 11, 83-72, following a Jacob Cortez three-pointer with only 2:16 left to steer La Salle to its second straight win and third victory in five outings.

“It’s super crucial, so we were fortunate to win against a hot Ateneo team and tie them in the standings,” said Cortez, who scored eight of his 12 points in the final period on top of five assists and three rebounds.

Also pacing La Salle early on was Joaquin Tovera, who helped his squad slowly pull away midway through the final frame with 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while JC Macalalag tallied 15 points, two rebounds, and two assists as the Archers notched their third win in five outings.

It was Cortez’s fourth-quarter takeover, however, that proved vital.

Only a four-point game early in the fourth canto, Cortez completed an and-one play at the 7:46 mark to push La Salle’s lead to seven, 69-62, while a Macalalag three-pointer two minutes later further widened the Archers’ cushion, 72-60.

Jared Bahay and Grayson Rogers then put Ateneo within three, 69-72, at the 4:34 mark, but Tovera and Macalalag responded with crucial makes from the foul line before Cortez essentially sealed the win with his three-pointer in the final two minutes.

“A few weeks ago, pinatalo kami nito against UST (University of Santo Tomas),” said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson on Cortez’s last-quarter surge. “But you also have to remember months ago, he won the championship for us. So he will always take those shots, that’s what he is built for.”

Bahay, on the other hand, finished with 14 points, three rebounds, and three assists to pace Ateneo, while Shawn Tuano provided energy with 17 points, five steals, and two rebounds, but their efforts weren’t enough as the Blue Eagles fell to their second loss in five matches.

Kieffer Alas also struggled offensively, scoring just two points on 2-of-11 shooting while finishing with a -15 in plus/minus rating.

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.