MANILA – De La Salle University Green Archers turned back archrival Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 72-59, in the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Sunday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Evan Nelle spearheaded the offense with 12 points to go with seven assists and three rebounds as the Green Archers notched its eighth victory in as many matches to stay on top of Group II.
Joshua David had 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists, Negrense Mark Nonoy, and Kevin Quiambao chipped in 11 markers apiece, while Michael Phillips contributed 10 markers for the Green Archers.
From a 26-all deadlock in the final minutes of the second quarter, Nelle anchored a 17-6 scoring attack by the Green Archers as they cruised to a 43-32 advantage midway in the third quarter.
The Blue Eagles were trailing by 13 points at 52-65 with five minutes remaining but the Green Archers got five points from David as the lead reached 72-52 with two minutes in the game.
“It really doesn’t make us UAAP champion by going 8-0 and beating Ateneo. It doesn’t mean anything,” said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson. “But it’s always good to see our team put on the floor what we prepared for.”
Kai Ballungay top-scored with 18 points to go with six rebounds, Ilonggo guard Ian Espinosa added nine markers as the UAAP men’s basketball champions Blue Eagles remained winless in three games.
Meanwhile, University of the East Red Warriors relied on the solid game of Delvion Jackson as they snapped a three-game skid with a 67-59 victory over Centro Escolar University Scorpions.
Jackson produced a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds to go with six blocks, three assists, and three steals as the Red Warriors moved up to 3-4 win-loss slate in Group II.
Mapua University Cardinals, for their part, claimed back-to-back wins after a 71-61 escape over San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags. Kobe Dalisay stepped up with 17 points built on five treys for the Stags.
BOX SCORE:
DLSU 72 – Nelle 12, Quiambao 11, David 11, Nonoy 11, M Phillips 10, Policarpio 5, Gollena 4, Escandor 3, Abadam 2, Manuel 2, B Phillips 1, Nwankwo 0, Melencio 0, Cortez 0.
ATENEO 59 – Ballungay 18, Espinosa 9, Credo 7, Obasa 5, Brown 5, Padrigao 4, Quitevis 3, Amos 3, Chiu 3, Nwabude 2, Lazaro 0, Bongo 0, Nieto 0, Garcia 0.
Quarterscores: 14-15, 32-28, 55-41, 72-59./PN
