La Salle eclipses UST, keeps Final Four hopes alive

It's not yet over for De La Salle University.

The Green Archers made a comeback late in the game to escape University of Santo Tomas, 77-72, on Wednesday in their final elimination game in UAAP Season 85 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

UST had their biggest lead early in the fourth period after a Royce Mantua triple, 69-60, before the Taft-based squad made a 9-0 run to tie the game at 69. A Jcee Macalalag long shot gave the Archers the lead with 1:50 left before Ben Philips' charities further extended their margin to four. 

Free throws sealed the deal in the endgame for La Salle as the Tigers made only one field goal since the 8:55 of the fourth period. 

Evan Nelle posted 25 points, four rebounds, and a steal and a block to lead the Archers, while Raven Cortez and Mark Nonoy added 13 and 10 points each.

Royce Mantua drilled five treys, while Nic Cabañero scored 16 points in the loss for UST, which ended its season at 1-13. 

La Salle, meanwhile, needs Ateneo de Manila University to win over Adamson University in the match slated this afternoon to force a playoff with the Falcons for the final spot.

The scores:

La Salle 77 -- Nelle 25, Cortez 13, Nonoy 10, B. Phillips 8, Macalalag 6, Austria 5, Estacio 3, Abadam 2, Buensalida 2, Manuel 2, Nwankwo 1, Winston 0.

UST 72 -- Mantua 17, Cabanero 16, Calimag 10, Faye 9, Pangilinan 5, Manalang 4, Laure 4, Manaytay 4, Lazarte 3, Duremdes 0, Garing 0, Escobido 0.

Quarters: 21-27, 37-42, 55-59, 77-72.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News