Naveen Ganglani
ANIM-O. Ben Mbala and La Salle move up to 6-0 in the UAAP. Photo by Josh Albelda/ Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The DLSU Green Archers survived the ejection of their head coach and fought off a late rally by the UE Red Warriors to escape with an 84-78 victory on Wednesday, September 28, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
In what was an ugly and physical contest marred by fouls, heated moments, and turnovers, a late 3-ball by DLSU sophomore Andrei Caracut helped seal the win for his team and improved their record to 6-0 in UAAP Season 79.
UE, on the other hand, dropped to a still-winless 0-6 slate.
DLSU coach Aldin Ayo was ejected late in the second period for protesting what he felt was a non-call. He got the glasses of his assistant coach and tried to put it on one of the game's referees.
The Warriors erased La Salle's 14-point halftime lead and again trailed by double-digits in the final period, but a late Alvin Pasaol basket capped off a UE run and put his team within 4, 78-74, under two minutes to go.
Caracut then hit a 3-ball from deep to make it a 7-point game. In the final seconds, Kib Montalbo and Prince Rivero sealed the win at the foul stripe.
Ben Mbala led La Salle with 19 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while rookie Justine Baltazar had 14 points and 9 boards. Rivero produced 11 points and 8 rebounds in just 10.2 minutes.
Pasaol led UE with 22 points and 6 boards. – Rappler.com
