With a new coach, the La Salle Archers are looking locked and loaded for the coming UAAP season.
The Archers proved this by beating the reigning UAAP champions Ateneo Blue Eagles, 86-83, to rule the 38th Kadayawan 2023 Invitational Basketball tournament Sunday at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City.
The one-game title clash was part of the Davao City’s annual festival to celebrate life and thanksgiving for nature’s bounty, but like their usual UAAP match – it was hotly-contested one.
Tight and interesting to the very end.
Evan Heinrich Nelle stood tallest t in La Salle’s vengeful win, finishing with 22 points, four rebounds, six assists and four steals, a fitting end to a wondrous performance in the four-day tournament that invited the best collegiate teams in the UAAP and NCAA.
His stellar show earned for himself the Finals MVP.
The title win was La Salle’s second preseason tournament after topping the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
Other Big City teams that took part in the event were San Beda, College of St. Benilde and Adamson.
The Falcons settled for third after beating the CSB Blazers, 79-69.
DLSU 86 — Nelle 22, M. Phillipps 12, Quiambao 11, Austria 11, B. Phillips 9, Escandor 6, Manuel 5, Cortez 5, Nonoy 3, Nwankwo 2, Marasigan 0, Abadam 0, David 0, Macalalag 0
Ateneo 83 — Obasa 20, Ballungay 18, Brown 11, Espinosa 9, Chiu 8, Credo 6, Koon 4, Tuano 3, Amos 2, Gomez 0, Nieto 0
Quarters: 27-22, 50-46, 75-66, 86-83
