By NIKOLE JAVIER
CJ Austria hit the dagger three to lift La Salle to a spine-tingling 81-78 win over Adamson in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Shouts of “Animo La Salle!” reverberated inside the Big Dome after Austria buried the all-important baskets that enabled the Archers to end their four-game losing streak for a 4-5 record.
He finished with 16 points on a decent 6-of-13 shooting from the field apart from stealing twice in his best game so far as the Archers revived their faltering semis bid alive.
Meantime, National Universidy fended off University of the East’s late rally, 70-61, to secure at least a playoff for a Final Four spot.
The Red Warriors came within two after a Luis Villegas’ triple at the 3:14 mark of the payoff period but the Bulldogs answered back with seven straight points capped by Steve Nash Enriquez’s three-pointer with 1:31 to go.
The Bulldogs set the pace for most of the contest and remained composed in the final period to improve to 8-3 while the Warriors slipped to 4-7.
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 gran the lead for the first time in the second half, 75-74, with 2:47 remaining
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 but split his free throws to tie the game at 76-all before Didat Hanapi raced to the basket to put Adamson back on top anew.
Now racing against time, Ben Phillips missed a three-point shot before Mike scored on putback for another deadlock at 78-all.
A defensive gem on Colonia inside the paint allowed 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 [Jerom] Lasimtosa and [Vince] Mabuhos 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:
First Game
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.
Second Game
NU 70 – Palacielo 10, Clemente 10, Figeuroa 9, Galinato 9, John 8, Malonzo 7, Enriquez 6, Manansala 5, Baclaan 2, Yu 2, Mahinay 2, Minerva 0, Padrones 0UE 61 – Stevens 14, Villegas 13, Payawal 12, Pagsanjan 7, K. Paranada 6, N. Paranada 5, Sawat 4, Tulabut 0, Remogat 0, Antiporda 0, Gilbuena 0.
Quarters: 16-13, 35-24, 48-39, 70-61.
