CJ Austria comes up clutch, saves De La Salle with game-winner over Adamson

By NIKOLE JAVIER
CJ Austria hit a dagger triple to lift De La Salle past Adamson, 81-78, in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Austria came up big in the dying seconds for the Green Archers after hitting the game-winning three-pointer off a deadlock to end their four-game losing streak and improve 4-5 in the standings. He finished with 16 points and two steals on a decent 6-of-13 shooting from the field.
After struggling to put itself ahead for most of the contest, La Salle finally had its bearings going in the fourth period as Ben Phillips knocked down back-to-back triples to retake the lead for the first time in the second half with 2:47 remaining, 75-74.
However, Mike Phillips failed to extend the lead as he missed the fastbreak layup in the ensuing possession off a steal which allowed Jed Colonia to snatch back the advantage for Adamson with a floater.
Austria then was sent to the line and split his free throws to tie the game at 76-all before Didat Hanapi raced to the basket to pull Adamson ahead by two.
Now racing against time, Ben missed his three-point shot before Mike drilled in the putback layup for another deadlock at 78-all followed by a defensive stop to Colonia inside the paint, allowing Austria to unleash the game-winning triple from the corner.
“Well, I think it was a total team effort this morning. We worked hard for it. You gotta give it to Adamson even though Lasimtosa and Magbuhos did not play. They still fought hard and played well. We just have to give it to them. It‘s a big lift. We can’t lose our poise right there. And good things happened with a shot from CJ,” said La Salle head coach Derrick Pumaren.
For Adamson’s part, Joshua Yerro had 18 points apart from five rebounds while Aaron Flowers added 15. Lenda Douanga, Joaquin Jaymalin and Hanapi all had 10 points.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 81 -- Austria 16, M. Phillips 14, B. Phillips 14, Nonoy 8, Quiambao 8, Abadam 6, Nwankwo 6, Nelle 5, Estacio 4, Macalalag 0, Cortez 0, Manuel 0.
ADAMSON 78 -- Yerro 18, Flowers 15, Hanapi 10, Jaymalin 10, Douanga 10, Manzano 6, Sabandal 3, Colonia 2, Barasi 2, Fuentebella 2, Torres 0, Barcelona 0, W. Magbuhos 0.
Quarters: 23-23, 40-42, 57-62, 81-78.