By MARK REY MONTEJO
La Salle carved out an 89-84 win against Chinese Taipei’s National Chengchi University to jumpstart its back-to-back bid in the 2025 World University Basketball Series (WUBS) on high note in Tokyo, Japan Saturday, Aug. 9.
Despite squandering a 66-51 lead in the heated fourth quarter action, the Green Archers persevered with Mike Phillips coming to the team’s rescue with a crucial block on Hsu Te-Chi’s go-ahead layup in the waning seconds.
Phillips’ heroic act with barely 23 ticks left came on the heels of EJ Gollena’s turnover and with La Salle protecting a slim 87-84 lead.
La Salle got another break when NCU’s Wu Zhi-Kai bungled a potential game-tying triple leading to Luis Pablo sealing the deal with two free throws.
With the win, the reigning champions advance to the next round where they tangle Japan University Select, which demolished University of Hong Kong via a convincing 98-31 triumph earlier, this Sunday, Aug. 10.
The 6-foot-8 dynamic forward starred for the Topex Robinson-guided crew after finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
Mason Amos chipped in 14 points, five rebounds, and one assist, while Pablo and Vhoris Marasigan added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines was to face last year’s bridesmaids Korea University later in the day.
