By NIKOLE JAVIER
De La Salle outgunned Ateneo for its first win over its longtime rival since 2017 with an 83-78 triumph in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In front of more than 12,000 crowd, Schonny Winston shone brilliantly for the Green Archers with 25 points including five rebounds and six assists to help the Taft-based squad improve to a 2-1 record and taste its first victory over the Blue Eagles since November 2017.
“I think the boys really worked hard. They believed that they can beat Ateneo, it really worked. And prepared for Ateneo. Even though we were down, we were able to regroup no’ng second quarter and we were able to tie and got the lead. Hats off to my guys,” said DLSU head coach Derrick Pumaren.
La Salle untangled itself from the sixth deadlock in the final period courtesy of Winston’s two free throws, 74-72.
Evan Nelle added 10 points including one crucial steal that he converted into a basket before Winston was sent to the line and retook the lead.
Forthsky Padrigao, launched a triple to pull Ateneo within three before Winston responded with a jumper with 1:19 to go.
Kai Ballungay kept the hopes alive for Ateneo with a basket, 81-78, before fouling Nelle who wound up icing the game from the line.
Koaume paced Ateneo with 22 points and 12 boards. Ballungay added 19 points off 2-of-3 from beyond the arc including 10 rebounds. The Blue Eagles dropped their first game in three outings.
The scores:
DLSU (83) -- Winston 25, Nelle 10, Cortez 8, Quiambao 7, Abadam 7, M. Phillips 6, Austria 6, B. Phillips 6, Estacio 5, Nwankwo 3, Nonoy 0, Manuel 0.
Ateneo (78) -- Kouame 22, Ballungay 19, Andrade 8, Ildefonso 7, Padrigao 7, Gomez 5, Lazaro 4, Garcia 3, Chiu 2, Koon 1, Daves 0, Quitevis 0.
Quarterscores: 18-28, 46-47, 64-62, 83-78