LA SALLE is beginning to look like a champion again, and University of Santo Tomas felt the full force of the Green Archers’ revival in a vengeful 92-80 win in UAAP Season 89 on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
With their title defense seemingly unraveling late in Round 1, Jcee Macalalag and Doy Dungo delivered statement performances La Salle desperately needed, breathing life into a campaign that was seemingly starting to slip away, especially with Jacob Cortez sidelined by an injury.
Macalalag, in particular, turned a quiet first half into a second-half shooting storm. After firing eight points before the break, he turned up the heat from beyond the arc, knocking down six three-pointers to help fuel the green-and-white resurgence.
And the Green Archers found their footing when they needed it most, turning in a 25-9 final frame to restore order in their title defense.
Heart of a champion with La Salle
Macalalag finished with a career-high 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting, leading all scorers ahead of Dungo, who delivered a career game of his own with 24 points.
Rookie Joaquin Tovera, who started in place of Cortez, then nearly recorded a maiden triple-double, tallying 15 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds to round out La Salle’s inspired outing.
The Green Archers climbed from second-to-last to solo third at 5-4, reentering the Final Four picture, as the tamed Tigers took their place at seventh with a 4-5 record.
Amiel Acido posted 20 points and seven rebounds for the black and gold, while Landyn Jumawan added 18 points and Mark Llemit chipped in 15.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 92 — Macalalag 28, Dungo 24, Tovera 15, Abadam 9, Agunanne 6, Marasigan 4, Pablo 3, Amos 3, Cortez 0, Gagate 0.
UST 80 — Acido 20, Jumawan 18, Llemit 15, Danting 12, Akowe 11, Cañete 2, Buenaflor 2, Chio 0, Esteban 0.
Quarters: 25-19, 47-44, 57-61, 92-80.
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