Archers rout Tigers, extend run to 11

MANILA, Philippines – La Salle stepped up its bid for a rare sweep, pounding University of Santo Tomas with its all-wrecking crew, 99-56, yesterday to stretch its win run to 11 in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

The Archers shook off a first quarter struggle by outgunning and outplaying the Tigers in the second, 26-8, then mercilessly blew their hapless rivals in the second half to post the league’s biggest winning margin since the National U Bulldogs waylaid the UE Warriors, 91-51, five seasons back.

Ben Mbala powered his way to 21 points and hauled down 15 rebounds. He also came through with five shot blocks, all game-highs, as the Archers stayed undefeated in 11 games and sealed at least a place in the top two for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

More importantly, La Salle moved three wins closer to a sweep of the double-round elimination for an automatic berth in the best-of-three finals.

La Salle will take on University of the East next on Wednesday, then faces arch rival Ateneo on Nov. 15 before closing out its campaign against defending champion Far Eastern U on Nov. 11.

A sweep will make the Archers the first team to accomplish the feat since the Warriors dominated the field nine seasons ago before losing to the Franz Pumaren-mentored Archers in the championship round.

La Salle coach Aldin Ayo, however, downplayed his wards’ streak, saying they will take it one game at a time.

“We’re not thinking that far because our focus is on our next game,” said Ayo, seeking to steer La Salle to the championship after piloting Letran to the NCAA crown last year.

Host UST, out to atone for its harrowing 62-100 defeat to La Salle in the first round, actually came up strong with Marvin Lee’s basket giving the Tigers a 10-5 lead.

But the Archers made their move, unloading a 14-5 run that saw it seize a 19-15 edge after the first 10 minutes before shutting down their rivals and pumping in baskets after baskets in transition and set plays to surge to a 45-23 bulge at the break.

The Archers never let up at the resumption of the contest marred by a non-call on a glaring travelling violation against Paolo Rivero early in the match.

Jeron Teng scattered 16 points while Justine Baltazar came out with his best effort thus far with 10 points, 12 boards and a shot block.

The Tigers fell to 3-8 and closer to elimination.

In the second game, Ateneo firmed up its Final Four bid as it trounced National U, 65-50, to remain at No. 3 with a 6-4 slate.

The Bulldogs slid to 4-7.