The DLSU Green Archers came into this one blazing hot, riding a nine-game winning streak and looking to tune up for the semis against a National U squad just scrapping to escape the cellar. With no playoff implications on the line, the game had all the vibes of a “no bearing” matchup.
But was it really?
From the opening buzzer, National U played like they were on an emotional mission, making it clear that pride and proving that they are contender material still mattered. The Bulldogs burst out of their kennels with aggressive energy, quickly slapping together a 10-point lead and setting the tone for a physical, grinding, and low-scoring contest. NU’s kind of game.
Despite the Archers’ repeated attempts to fight back into the game, NU answered each with a scoring outburst, holding the Archers at a manageable distance for most of the night.
Mike Phillips led the ANIMO and kept La Salle within striking distance, tossing in a gritty 18 points and 10 boards. But with only one other teammate reaching double figures, the offense flatlined. And even though La Salle utterly dominated the glass, outrebounding NU 56-33, their shooting touch was artic-cold. The Archers ended the night at a dreadful 33.2% from the field and an abysmal and unimaginable 4.2% from three—nowhere near the sharp form that blasted UP last weekend.
In the final stretch, Phillips hit a crucial free throw to cut the deficit to a single possession, 52-55, with just over three minutes left, but National U’s PJ Palacielo and Jake Figueroa wanted to win more. The NU speed and slash duo rattled off a 6-0 spurt to ice the game, sealing a 63-54 win and dealing the Green Archers their second season loss.
Despite the loss, the De La Salle Green Archers vice-gripped the number 1 spot after the double round-robin elimination rounds
Animo La Salle!
The Box Scores
NU (63) – Palacielo 16, Figueroa 14, Garcia 8, Manansala 6, Enriquez 5, Padrones 5, Jumamoy 3, Yu 3, Dela Cruz 2, Lim 1, Santiago 0, Tulabut 0, Parks 0, Francisco 0.
DLSU (54) – Phillips 18, Gonzales 9, Agunnane 8, Quiambao 6, Ramiro 4, David 3, Macalalag 2, Gollena 2, Dungo 1, Marasigan 1, Konov 0, Austria 0, Alian 0.
Quarter Scores: 17-17, 38-32, 47-39, 63-54
