MANILA – Mark Nonoy delivered the goods in the endgame as the De La Salle University Green Archers escaped University of the East Red Warriors in overtime, 85-82, in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball on Thursday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With both teams knotted at 78 apiece, the La Carlota City, Negros Occidental native Nonoy surged the Green Archers ahead at 80-78 an off-balanced mid-range jumper with 49 ticks left.
The Red Warriors had a chance to tie the score but Clint Escamis misfired his two free throws before the Green Archers widened the lead to 83-78 on a Nonoy three-pointer with 23.6 left.
UE made its last push at 82-83 on back-to-back conversions by Harvey Pagsanjan. DLSU increased it to 85-82 on two freebies by Justine Baltazar before the Red Warriors misfired its late triple try.
Nonoy, who was poached by the Greem Archers from the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, finished the match with 11 points as they improved to 7-3 win-loss slate.
Filipino-American import Deschon Winston and Kurt Lojera led the Green Archers with 18 and 17 points, respectively, Baltazar had 14 points and 22 rebounds, while Fil-Am import Michael Phillips grabbed 26 rebounds to go with 12 points.
“We really had to dig deep to get this win. I think UE really played well,” said Green Archers head coach Derrick Pumaren. “Fortunately, we were able to regroup and get the win.”
Pagsanjan had a game-high 23 points to go with 10 rebounds, Kyle Paranada added 13 markers as the Red Warriors suffered its 10th defeat in as many games.
Meanwhile, Xyrus Torres drilled a go-ahead triple as the Far Eastern University Tamaraws (4-6) snapped its three-game losing skid with a 59-57 escape over National University Bulldogs (4-6).
Down 56-57 late in the fourth period, Torres found an opening in the corner as he drained the game-winner with two seconds left. He finished the game with 16 points.
Adamson University Falcons (4-6) cruised to its third straight victory as it stunned University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (8-2), 66-58. Jerom Lastimosa tallied 13 points to lead the winning team.
BOX SCORE:
DLSU 85 – Winston 18, Lojera 17, Baltazar 14, M. Phillips 12, Nonoy 11, Nwankwo 5, Nelle 3, Escandor 2, Galman 2, Cuajao 1, B. Phillips 0, Manuel 0.
UE 82 – Pagsanjan 23, K. Paranada 13, J. Cruz 10, Beltran 9, N. Paranada 9, Escamis 7, Sawat 6, Lorenzana 5, Antiporda 0, Villanueva 0, Guevarra 0, P. Cruz 0, Abatayo 0.
Quarterscores: 9-20, 32-32, 48-57, 69-69, 85-82./PN
