With the win, the Green Archers evened up their win-loss slate at 4-4, tying the UST Growling Tigers at 3rd place while the Bulldogs stayed rooted at the cellar at 1-7.
Justine Baltazar went absolutely crazy in the easy win with a staggering 25 points and 25 rebounds with 2 blocks to boot.
Aside from Baltazar dropping a career-high performance, Andrei Caracut also tied his season-high 16 points and collected 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
In stark contrast to their one-point win in the first round, 83-82, the Archers established a 26-9 lead in the 1st quarter after a 26-6 run.
NU only got as near as 13 points after that, 52-65, off a John Lloyd Clemente layup at the 7:18 mark of the 4th.
However, La Salle responded with a 16-4 finishing kick, ending with Baltazar hook, 81-56, with 2:26 left.
"We just wanted a different approach in the second round. It's just our mindset has to change heading to the second round," said La Salle coach Gian Nazario.
The Scores
La Salle 85 – Baltazar 25, Caracut 16, Malonzo 12, Lojera 9, Serrano 8, Melecio 6, Bates 4, Manuel 4, Hill 1, Bartlett 0, Escandor 0, Lim 0.
NU 61 – Ildefonso D 11, Ildefonso S 10, Diputado 8, Gallego 7, Clemente 5, Galinato 5, Gaye 5, Tibayan 3, Yu 3, Mangayao 2, Minerva 2, Joson 0, Malonzo 0, Oczon 0.
Quarters: 26-9, 44-24, 65-48- 85-61.
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