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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – De La Salle University Green Archers went on a strong surge in the fourth quarter to score a 113-88 win over National University Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 79 men’s seniors basketball.
Cameroonian import Benoit Mbala led the way with double-double 29 points and 16 rebounds to help Green Archers (10-0 win-loss) secure a Final 4 seat.
Aljun Melecio chipped in with career-high 18 points, while Jeron Teng and Thomas Torres added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Green Archers, trailing by as much as 16-8 early in the opening quarter, went on a scoring run behind Jason Perkins, Teng and Mbala to snatch the lead at 24-23 at the end of the period Wednesday night at San Juan Arena.
La Salle continued its run in the second frame behind Melecio, Justin Baltazar and Ricci Rivero to widen the lead to 34-25. But Bulldogs leaned on Michael Pate and Arden Diputado to come to within 56-49 at the half.
NU kept the game close in the third frame on three pointers by Reggie Morido, but Green Archers maintained its double-digit edge on inside hits by Mbala and Rashleigh Rivero.
Green Archers broke the game wide open in the final quarter on triples by Josh Caracut, Kirell Montalbo and Melecio. The lead later grew to its largest at 109-84 on free throws by Mark Dyke.
Diputado finished with career-best 23 points, including three three-point baskets, while Rodolfo Alejandro added 17 markers for Bulldogs, which slid down to fifth place with a 4-6 win-loss slate./PN
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SCORES
DLSU 113 – Mbala 29, Melecio 18, Teng 13, Torres 12, Tratter 8, Ri. Rivero 6, Caracut 5, Montalbo 5, Perkins 4, Baltazar 4, Ra. Rivero 4, Sargent 2, Go 2, Dyke 1, Paraiso 0
NU 88 – A. Diputado 23, Alejandro 17, Morido 13, Gallego 10, Salem 6, Pate 6, Salim 5, Mosqueda 4, Aroga 2, M. Diputado 2, Abatayo 0, Go 0, Sinclair 0, Rangel 0, Yu 0
QUARTERS – 24-23, 56-49, 85-75, 113-88
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