Former SWU import carries La Salle over UV in Davao tourney
THE UNIVERSITY of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers bowed down to The Royal Mandaya Hotel-City Mayor’s Office-backed La Salle Green Archers, 85-95, in the opening match of the 79th Araw ng Dabaw Commercial Basketball Invitational Tournament on Wednesday night at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center.
Ironically, it was a familiar face that did the most damage on the defense of the Green Lancers as former Southwestern University (SWU) import and now Green Archer Ben Mbala scored 25 markers to lead the UAAP powerhouse to the victory. Thomas Torres, Jeron Teng and rookie big man John Gob were also lethal as they contributed 17, 14 and 13 markers, respectively.
The Green Lancers were led by Jerome Napao, who tallied 17 while Leonard Santillan added 14 and new import Bassieru Sackor submitted 13.
The game remained close at halftime as La Salle led, 42-39. But the wards of new head coach Aldin Ayo, formerly of Letran, found their groove and exploded for 36 in the third to take a 19-point lead, 78-59.
At the helm of that breakaway were Torres and Mbala, who combined for 22 during that sizzling stretch.
UV tried to rally in the final frame and came within 10 behind the efforts of Jun Manzo, Jayson Balabag, Napao and Sackor. But that was as close as it got as La Salle closed the game out to log the victory.
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