Deschon Winston Stars As De La Salle Moves Past UE 71-66

Deschon Winston Stars As De La Salle Moves Past UE 71-66

Deschon Winston is a flashy Fil-American rookie and he moves like a veteran in handling the ball, scoring and backstopping the Green Archers' pressure defense against the import-less Red Warriors. The 6-foot 3 combo Guard scattered 22 points throughout the game. Basically a good tall team beats a good small team. The Archers tall frontline usually gave the Red Warriors only one shot at the basket, pushing them back to shoot contested 3-pointers in which UE had some success. In contrast, De La Salle's size enabled them to get more offensive rebounds and more chances of scoring. When the duo of import Bright Nwankwo and Justine Baltazar sit out, it was the Phillip brothers, Fil-Americans Benjamin and Michael, who patrol the paint. UE stayed in the first quarter with stellar plays from Onzo Lorenzana and Nico Paranada, trailing La Salle 22-15. In the second quarter, Evan Nelle and Cyrus Austria carried the scoring cudgels for La Salle. They lead at the half 47-31 with doubling defense and trapping with Winston at the helm. It was more of the same in 3rd quarter, La Salle with the press and they would score on easy layups while UE was making desperation shots as the shotclock winds down. UE matched La Salle's press defense in the fourth quarter and made the game interesting. It looks like the Archers were tired. Still it doesn't look like UE will steal the game from DLSU even with Harvey Pagsanjan and Clint Escamis picking up the slack. UE rallies at 65-61 and 70-65 one minute left in the game. Baltazar made one free throw and UE throws the ball away and De La Salle goes away with the victory 71-66. Aside from Winston's 22 points, Baltazar wound up with 12 points, Nelle 11 and Nwankwo 10. UE's scoring parade was Nico Paranada with 13, Pagsanjan 13 and Lorenzana 11.