Quick Fire: De La Salle Green Archers Wins Shootout Against NU Bulldogs

(Photo Credit: Joseph Nebrida, GoArchers.com)

De La Salle Green Archers def. NU Bulldogs 115-109

Notable Players:

Ricci Rivero, DLSU (21 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals): The younger Rivero took advantage of the fast pace of the game to finally break out of his shell. He constantly found himself in fastbreak situations and delivered when in mattered.

Aljun Melecio, DLSU (20 points, 8 assists and 3 steals): The former De La Salle Zobel standout continued to play at an MVP pace versus the Bulldogs. He was instrumental in building an early lead for La Salle, and was key in stopping the Bulldogs' runs.

Jollo Go, DLSU (19 points, 67% FG% , 58% 3pt FG): When it seemed like La Salle was quickly drifting to an L in the 3rd period after NU logged the game's biggest lead at 80-69, Go rifled off 8 straight points, including two corner 3s,  to keep La Salle within fighting distance until the greens erased completely the lead before the end of the 3rd.

Santi Santillan, DLSU (13 points,16 rebounds and 3 assists): The recruit out of Cebu City manned the paint in the absence of Ben Mbala while also playing some stretch four. He was a steady inside presence for La Salle, helping out in preserving the win.

Jordan Bartlett, NU (23 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists): The Fil-Am recruit had himself quite the game, and was the main man for the Bulldogs for most o the game. He showcased a balanced offensive game consisting of jumpers and quick drives to the basket.

Issa Gaye. NU (16 points, 7 rebounds and 70% FG percentage): Taking advantage of the Mbala-less Archers, Gaye went off offensively. He was a force down low, giving La Salle's bigs a difficult time.

Quick Analysis:

- Like poles repel so they say.  But two teams with stretches defensive coverage full court results into a frenetic high scoring game breaking 10-year records on most points scored in a half and a game. NU and La Salle fought to the bitter end having 14 lead changes and 11 deadlocks.

-  DLSU flirted with defeat by using a short nine green shirt rotation and almost ran out of gas in a game that had squads sprinting at a marathon distance.  National University, using their full roster, slowly pulled away in the third quarter through press breaks that opened the court for easy buckets. The biggest NU lead was at 80-69 wth 4:05 left in the 3rd canto.

- The tremors of the absence of green rim protector Big Ben Mbala was felt stronger with the Bulldogs easily prancing inside the lane and outscored La Salle 62-40 in the shaded lane mostly off dribble drives and drop passes while the renowned Mayhem defense failing to close out.  Single coverage made the drives of Fil-Am rookie Jordan Bartlett flawless and effortless.

- Credit to the De La Salle coaching staff for designing simple hacks to augment Mbala's absence by multiple drives and keyhole cuts by the big men.  Abu Tratter, Santi Santillan, Prince Rivero and Justin Baltazar combined for 38 points mostly on smooth cuts and quick scoops for two.