MANILA, Philippines -- A rookie’s breakout game and steady performances by the veterans allowed La Salle to avoid Adamson's upset bid and coast to a 76-61 triumph in the 71st UAAP men's basketball competition yesterday at the PhilSports Arena.
Led by JV Casio anew, the Archers pulled off a strong first half, then clipped the Falcons' third-quarter comeback to streak to their fourth straight win and claim solo second at 4-1.
"They gave us a problem, they gave us different looks," said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren after the Falcons failed to follow up on their surprising back-to-back wins to drop to 2-3. "I'm just happy that my players were really prepared for any scenario."
Casio presided in key stretches for the Archers to collect 19 points, five assists and two steals, while Rico Maierhofer added 13 markers and seven rebounds.
"His name should be changed to steady JV," said Pumaren. "He knows that it's time for the other guys to shine. He's like the glue in the team. He keeps us together."
Maui Villanueva, a Japan-trained freshman forward, nailed key buckets for the Archers in the second half to finish with 12 points on an impressive 6-of-7 shooting clip.
"Other schools were running after him because we saw the potential," said Pumaren. "He's a very smart player. Undersized for his position [at 6-foot-3], but he knows how to use his head."
The Archers responded in the third quarter when the Falcons, led by Marc Agustin, orchestrated a 13-4 rally to threaten within four points, 39-35, with five minutes left in the period.
A Casio triple halted the Falcons' charge as Maierhofer and Villanueva also chipped in four points apiece in the run that put the Archers back in control at 52-39.
The Archers kept the Falcons no closer than 10 points in the final canto, 65-55, as La Salle wrapped up another solid performance by its bench players.
"Coming into this game, we made sure that our mindset is to play hard and prepare for this team," said Pumaren after his Archers closed in to rival Ateneo's 4-0 slate.
"We know Adamson is capable of beating any other school. After their game against UE which they won, we really came prepared whatever things they will throw against us. I'm just so glad that my players, especially my bench, are really stepping up. Even though we were undersized, we took the game away of (Mike) Galinato from the start. We made him work hard for his points."
La Salle's second stringers outscored Adamson's bench at 47-13.
Galinato, who played for La Salle in 2004 before transferring to Adamson, and Paul Gonzalgo were held to nine points apiece after playing key roles in the Falcons' 66-64 stunner over the Warriors last Sunday.
The Falcons jumped to a 6-2 start, before the Archers closed out the first quarter with a 16-5 response to wrest the lead at 18-11.
Bader Malabes and Peejay Barua, who contributed 10 points each, helped the Archers build their first double-digit advantage, 24-13, that stretched to 35-22 at halftime.
The scores:
LA SALLE 76--Casio 19, Maierhofer 13, Villanueva 12, Malabes 10, Barua 10, Atkins 4, Mangahas 4, Webb 2, Walsham 2, Revilla 0, Bagatsing 0, Lee 0, Batricevic 0.
ADAMSON 61--Agustin 12, Colina 12, Galinato 9, Gonzalgo 9, Cañada 6, Alvarez 6, Santos 3, Nuyles 2, Yambot 2, Lozada 0, Olalia 0, Margallo 0, Gorospe 0.
Quarters: 18-11, 35-22, 52-41, 76-61
