Archers ward off Red Warriors in overtime

MANILA, Philippines -- The La Salle Green Archers fell behind but recovered just in time against the University of the East Red Warriors, 97-88, in overtime to start off the second round of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The defending champions survived a scare against the lowly Red Warriors, who saw their losing streak rise to 28. 

Mason Amos carried the offense for the Green Archers with 17 points, nine rebounds and two assists. JC Macalalag added 14 markers off the bench. 

With La Salle trying to break the game open in overtime, Tope Lagat, who went scoreless in the first half, kept UE in it. 

He connected on back-to-back bombs to tow the Red Warriors to an 80-all deadlock with 3:21 left in regulation, before Amos and Joaquin Tovera teamed up and pushed the advantage to seven, 89-92, with 1:31 to go. 

Quick points by Lance Sabroso and DJ Robles sandwiched a pair of freebies by Earl Abadam, but finishing touches by Mikey Cortez, Abadam and Tovera iced the game. 

UE trailed by 13, 37-50, early on in the third quarter as La Salle poured it on. 

The Red Warriors, though, unleashed a 22-9 run to tie things up at 59-all with 8:32 left. 

A deuce by Amos pushed La Salle ahead anew, 61-59, but UE uncorked another 7-0 run capped by an and-one play by Lance Sabroso to push the lead to five, 66-61, with 6:11 left. 

An 11-0 run capped by a split from the line by Mason Amos gave the Green Archers a 72-66 lead with 1:08 remaining. 

But an 8-2 run, following a layup off the steal by Tope Lagat, tied things up anew at 74-all.

A late acrobatic layup by Tovera was stopped in the next possession, while Lagat tried to heave it from the other end of the court with plenty of time remaining, sending the game to overtime. 

Henry Agunanne stood tall for La Salle with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Doy Dungo and Tovera had 12 and 11 markers, respectively, in the win. 

Lagat once again powered UE with 20 points, six steals and five rebounds in the loss. Sabroso added 18 markers while Mo Tanedo had 16. 

La Salle rose to 5-3 in the standings, while UE remained on the bottom of the barrel with a 0-8 slate.