Amos sinks clutch 3-pointer as Archers escape Falcons

MANILA, Philippines — The post-Kevin Quiambao era for La Salle is off to a high note, as the Green Archers squeaked past the gritty Adamson Soaring Falcons, 60-58, in their UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball clash Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila. 

Debuting Green Archer Mason Amos, who was struggling the whole game, hit a huge go-ahead 3-pointer late with 7.9 seconds left to help grab the win for the green and white. 

Mike Phillips had a dominant double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds, to go with four blocks, three steals and an assist. New La Salle guard Jacob Cortez chipped in 16 markers, four boards, four dimes and two steals.

The two teams traded points late, with Adamson taking a 56-53 lead after a triple by Earl Medina.

But back-to-back makes by Cortez inside gave La Salle the 57-56 advantage with 1:37 left.

In the next possession, Ray Allen Torres was called for a charge taken by Cortez. 

After the teams traded misses in the next possessions, Amos, who was shooting 1-of-7 from the field up to that point, locked and loaded from the left wing, which hit nothing but net to keep their opponents at bay, 60-56, with 7.9 seconds left. 

Anthony Fransman then missed a trey on the other end, but a putback by Medina came a little too late to set the final score. 

Rookie Lebron Jhames Daep shone in his seniors debut with eight points, three rebounds and two steals. Amos, who transferred from Ateneo after one year, added six markers and four boards. Kean Baclaan struggled in his first game in a La Salle jersey, finishing with just one point in 23 minutes. 

Ced Manzano flexed his muscles inside for Adamson with 19 points and nine rebounds. Matty Erolon chipped in 10, six and four. 

The Falcons aim to bounce back against University of the Philippines on Wednesday at the same venue, while La Salle will try to win back-to-back as it faces season host University of Santo Tomas next Saturday, 4:30 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.