De La Salle University clinched the third seed in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament after derailing Adamson University, 64-51, Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Green Archers rose to an 8-5 record, while the Soaring Falcons’ playoff bid took a major blow, dropping to 5-8 at sixth spot with one gameday left.
With the game knotted at 43 entering the fourth period, Evan Nelle and Justine Baltazar took charge for La Salle.
“It was a total team effort for the whole team. Finally, it’s official that we made it to the Final Four. It was a good win for us and we know that it wouldn’t be easy,” said Green Archers head coach Derrick Pumaren
Nelle dropped seven points, while Baltazar added five points in the Green Archers’ game-deciding 16-4 run to take a 59-47 advantage with just 2:57 to go.
Schonny Winston, who missed their last game versus Far Eastern University due to back spasms, showed the way with 19 points, 14 in the second half, to go with five rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Nelle had nine of his 11 points in the payoff period to add to his five rebounds and two steals. Kurt Lojera also chipped in 10 points and three rebounds.
Soaring Falcon Jerom Lastimosa was held to 3-of-13 shooting for just 11 points while also committing four turnovers. Rookie Ricky Peromingan chalked up 11 points as well with eight rebounds.
DLSU will look to strengthen its hold of the third seed on Sunday, closing the eliminations against National University at 4:30 p.m. Adamson will need to win against University of the East at 10 am, in order to at least just get a chance to enter the postseason.
