Back to form? La Salle improves to 7-2 after blowing out UP

Following a sloppy victory over the FEU Tamaraws this past Wednesday, the DLSU Green Archers returned to their dominant selves with an 85-62 blowout victory against the UP Fighting Maroons on Sunday at the Filoil Arena in San Juan.

Dominating from the first quarter until the end of the game, DLSU won for the seventh time in nine games this UAAP Season. It was also payback for La Salle, which beat a UP squad that defeated them in the first round to celebrate Coach Aldin Ayo’s birthday in style.

Playing for the third time in a seven-day span, the Green Archers were once again led by leading MVP candidate Ben Mbala who recorded 27 points and 14 rebounds. Ricci Rivero, who had a couple of highlight plays, continued his hot streak of performances with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Kib Montalbo also regained his groove by recording 12 points and hitting a pair of deep balls.

The defending champions did a good job of limiting UP leading scorer Paul Desiderio. After scoring 30 against La Salle in their first round game, the veteran Maroon was limited to only 7 points on 2-of-13 shooting.

DLSU also forced 20 UP turnovers and held the Maroons to 33% shooting.

La Salle, on the other hand, converted 44% from the field and out-rebounded its opponent, 49-36.

Now in sole possession of second place in the standings, the Archers are back in action next Saturday when they take on Adamson, who’s in third place.

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