Schonny Winston put on a show to lead De La Salle University's 29-point thumping of University of Santo Tomas, 112-83, in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament, Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Winston, who played previously for Division I school Central Michigan University, exploded for 33 points on a hyper-efficient 14-of-19 from the field, a high 73.7-percent clip. His scoring output matched RJ Abarrientos' season-high outing which was set during Far Eastern University's game against National University back on April 2.
The 6-foot-4 guard unloaded 19 of his points in the third quarter where the Green Archers pulled away after a 28-15 tally to enter the fourth ahead by 25, 86-61. The lead went to as high as 33 points.
“It was a total team effort for us today” said La Salle mentor Derrick Pumaren. “We were able to execute. Deschon really shot well today. The only guy who was able to stop him was me because I took him out.”
Justine Baltazar did it all for DLSU with 17 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and a block, while Evan Nelle chimed in 16 points on a perfect 5-of-5 clip from the field and six assists.
Michael Phillips added 15 points and nine rebounds, while Kurt Lojera had 10 points.
La Salle senior Joaqui Manuel served a one-game suspension in the contest after the unsportsmanlike foul criteria 2 he committed against Ateneo De Manila University's Angelo Kouame last April 12. According to the FIBA rulebook, UF C2 are fouls that are "excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent."
The Green Archers rose to 6-3 for the third spot while UST dropped to 3-6, tied with Far Eastern University for fifth.
Paul Manalang led the Growling Tigers with 14 points, but all from the first half. Bryan Santos returned from his suspension with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Sherwin Concepcion got 12 points as well.
UST will next face the unblemished Ateneo de Manila University on Thursday at 10 am. DLSU will cap the night against the luckless University of the East at 7 pm.
The Scores:
DLSU 112 - Winston 33, Baltazar 17, Nelle 16, M. Phillips 15, Lojera 10, Nonoy 5, Cuajao 5, Galman 5, Escandor 2, B. Phillips 2, Cu 2, Lim 0, Nwankwo 0, Turco 0.
UST 83 -- Manalang 14, Santos 13, Concepcion 12, Cabanero 11, Ando 10, Fontanilla 8, Garing 6, Gomez de Liano 4, Samudio 3, Manaytay 2, Gesalem 0, Mantua 0, Yongco 0, Pangilinan 0, Herrera 0.
Quarterscores: 36-21, 58-46, 86-61, 112-83. (Dennis Lachica, Sportsmanila Photojournalist)