Araneta Coliseum
UAAP 2016 News: De La Salle Green Archers edged Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles, 79-72, to clinch UAAP Season 79 championship title on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Finals MVP Jeron Teng dropped the whopping 19 of his 28 points haul in the first half, while MVP Ben Mbala contributed double-double 18 baskets with 18 rebounds and two shot blocks. It is DLSU’s ninth title in UAAP history.
DLSU Green Archers dismantles ADMU Blue Eagles
La Salle made 46 percent clip from the field, against Ateneo’s 34.29 percent. Surprisingly, it was the Eagles who led in rebounding with 49-38 advantage. However, their trip to the freethrow lane was a dismal 20 of 32 shots.
Ateneo was well within striking distance with still 1:35 remaining in the ballgame, 73-69, with Isaac Go‘s basket. However, Teng attacked the lane to draw Blue Eagles defense then dished off to Mbala for an uncontested lay-up, 75-69.
With 59.6 seconds on the clock, Raffy Verano buoyed Ateneo with a triple dagger to bring the score to 73-72. Teng and Mbala again lifted La Salle with steady charity baskets until the dying seconds to give the victory to the Archers.
“They sacrificed a lot,” stated an ecstatic DLSU coach Aldin Ayo of Teng and Mbala. “We were able to get the championship…the only thing I kept thinking was to bring the championship back to La Salle”, he added.
Mike Nieto led the Eagles with 18 points while Adrian Wong and Verano chipped-in 10 apiece.
DLSU Green Archers dismantles ADMU Blue Eagles
- • DLSU 79:
Teng 28, Mbala 18, Montalbo 9, Melecio 7, Caracut 5, Perkins 4, Torres 3, Tratter 2, Rivero P 2, Sargent 1
- • ADMU 72:
Nieto Mi 18, Wong 10, Verano 10, Asistio 9, Go 8, Ikeh 6, Nieto Ma 4, Ravena 3, Black 2, Tolentino 2, Porter 0, Babilonia 0.
- • Quarters:
22-16, 45-35, 59-52, 79-72. DLSU Wins
