De La Salle Zobel booked a strong finish following a 71-59 victory over Ateneo de Manila High School in Season 85 University Athletic Association of the Philippines high school boys’ basketball competition on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Kiefer Alas, Rhyle Melencio and Andrei Pabellano conspired, leading the Junior Archers to a 5-9 record at the end of the double-round eliminations.
Alas, the son of former Philippine Basketball Association mentor Louie Alas, fired 21 points and 10 rebounds while Melencio had 20 markers for DLSZ, which drew quality minutes from 5-foot-11 guard Pabellano.
Pabellano, who played high school ball at De La Salle University Integrated School in Laguna, displayed maturity in his game as he opened the scoring parade while bravely locking up Ateneo star Lebron Nieto in the first half to help the Junior Archers dictate the tempo.
He finished the game with an efficient 11 points laced with three three-pointers and three assists.
“I’m glad that I was able to step up and help the team clinch this win. I just want to make the most out of the opportunity given to me, especially against a strong team like Ateneo,” Pabellano said following the win that snapped their five-game losing streak.
DLSZ coach Boris Aldeguer said they want to send a strong statement that they should have made it to the Final Four following their sorry losses to University of Santo Tomas, 80-81, and University of the East, 77-82.
“We wanted to send a statement that we should have been in the top four after our unforgettable loss against UST and our loss against UE,” Aldeguer said.
“Of course, we also wanted to send our eight seniors off on a high note.”
Nieto paced the Blue Eagles with 16 points while Grade 11 senior Kristian Porter added 10 points and 10 boards.
Meanwhile, Adamson University and Far Eastern University-Diliman will hold the twice-to-beat advantages after posting identical victories.
The Soaring Falcons will enter the Final Four as the top seed following a 78-66 victory over UST Tomas while the Baby Tamaraws notched an 82-66 decision over defending champion Nazareth School of National University.
Adamson will face UST in the semis while FEU-D and NSNU will square off in the other bracket.
The Final Four will begin on 7 March at the same San Juan venue.
