By el Amigo
MANILA — The first 100 meetings between De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University have produced an even split, with the Green Archers pulling level with their archrivals at 50 victories apiece.
La Salle achieved the milestone with an 83-76 victory over Ateneo in their UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball showdown Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The defending champions also extended their winning streak to two games, improving to 3-2 and drawing level with the Blue Eagles in the standings. Ateneo likewise carries a 3-2 record after absorbing its second loss of the season.
La Salle had to withstand a late Ateneo rally after the Blue Eagles cut the deficit to just two points, 72-70, in the fourth quarter.
The Green Archers responded decisively, scoring 11 of the next 13 points to regain control and build enough cushion to secure the victory in the closing minutes.
Joaquin Tovera and JC Macalalag paced La Salle with 15 points apiece, while Jacob Cortez delivered 12 points, eight of them in the final period. Andrei Dungo chipped in 10 points.
Ateneo drew its offensive production from Shawn Tuano, who finished with 17 points, and Jared Bahay, who added 14. Rookie Kieffer Alas, however, was limited to five points.
The result underscored how evenly matched the two traditional rivals have been across their first century of UAAP men’s basketball encounters.
La Salle will try to sustain its momentum when it faces the University of the Philippines on Sunday. Ateneo, meanwhile, aims to recover against Far Eastern University on Saturday.
