Cortez-less Archers bank on Macalalag
De La Salle University played mostly without star guard Jacob Cortez in its two assignments this week in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.
Fortunately for the Green Archers, JC Macalalag was more than ready to pick up the slack.
La Salle opened the second round with back-to-back victories, thanks largely to Macalalag, who was named the latest Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week for the period of 21 to 25 October.
Against a resurgent University of the East on Wednesday, Macalalag steered the Taft squad to a gritty 97-88 overtime victory, pouring in 14 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting clip.
He also chipped in two rebounds and a steal as the defending champions snapped a two-game losing streak.
On Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym, the dependable forward came through with the best scoring night of his career, putting up 28 points to steer La Salle to a 92-80 win over University of Santo Tomas.
“We’re happy with the win, and we’re thankful that we all stepped up and followed the game plan. I’m thankful for my teammates and coaches for trusting me,” Macalalag said in Filipino after adding three rebounds and three assists to his career-best scoring performance.