UE, DLSU, 3 others on top

La Salle and University of the East pulled off emphatic wins over Santo Tomas and Adamson, respectively, yesterday forcing a five-game standoff in the lead in the 64th UAAP basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena.

Renren Ritualo sizzled with a game-high 29 points as the Archers ripped the Tigers, 87-73, while James Yap and Arnold Booker unleashed a barrage of three-pointers in the final half as the Warriors rapped the Falcons, 74-58, to join the Ateneo Eagles, the National U Bulldogs and the Far Eastern Tamaraws at the helm with similar 2-1 win-loss marks.

The Warriors' decisive win over the Falcons was a fitting followup on their mind-boggling 79-58 conquest of the defending champion La Salle Archers.

UE coach Boyzie Zamar made special mention of Yap and Booker although he felt their efficient defense spelled the difference in the contest.

The Warriors held the Falcons without a single field-goal conversion as they took a 19-3 lead in the first quarter.

Adamson, which has lost its last three games and its last 23 dating back to the second round of the 1999 season, went 13-of-47 from the field – its worst shooting this season.

"We had many opportunities at the basket because we played good defense which is the key to this win," said Zamar.