MANILA, Philippines-As if La Salle didn’t have enough motivation on Wednesday, the Green Archers had another reason to win against University of the East in what has been a rough UAAP Season 88 campaign so far for the deemed title favorites.
Just three days after losing forward Mason Amos to an MCL tear in a tough loss to National University, La Salle saw another one of its key cogs in Kean Baclaan get stretchered off the court after going down with an apparent knee injury late in the fourth quarter. ‘I just remember Kean screaming like that when we were behind him and everyone just gathered together and said we have to win it for him,’ DLSU forward Mike Phillips recalled. after dropping a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. The injury to Baclaan lit a fire under the Green Archers, who went on to outlast the Red Warriors, 111-110, in overtime to snap a two-game slide. Jacob Cortez came up clutch, scoring La Salle’s last five points to put the game away. He finished with a team-high 26 points while Phillips recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds before suffering from cramps in OT. Baclaan had 17 points before getting hurt, and La Salle trailing, 89-84, with 4:20 remaining in regulation when UE’s Wello Lingolingo dove onto his knees in a fight for the loose ball.
‘The way he was screaming, I never heard him like that and when I was watching him get stretchered off the court,’ said Cortez.
‘At first it was sad, but it’s also a motivation for us.’
Sad would be an understatement for UE center Precious Momowei, who poured his heart out and delivered a career-best 42 points. Momowei was in tears after the loss as the Red Warriors remained winless after six games.