The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers secured a podium finish in the National Student Athletes Championship (NSAC) College Basketball Campus Tour after overpowering the San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions, 78–61, in the battle for third place earlier today at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.

Janti Miller was named Player of the Game after leading the Green Archers with 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in a composed all-around performance that helped DLSU maintain control throughout the contest.

The Green Archers opened the contest with aggressive defense and efficient ball movement, immediately forcing San Beda into consecutive turnovers in the opening minutes. Jcee Macalalag finally broke the deadlock at the 8:33 mark with a three-pointer off a Mason Amos assist before Amos followed it up with a smooth spin fadeaway to hand La Salle a quick 5–0 advantage. San Beda attempted to answer through a Penny Estacio triple, but the Green-and-White quickly found their rhythm offensively as Janti Miller attacked the rim for an and-one play before knocking down another three-pointer from a Jacob Cortez setup, 11–3. Amos continued the offensive barrage with a triple of his own at the 6:09 mark, extending the lead to 14–3 and forcing an early timeout from the Red Lions. Despite San Beda slowly recovering through inside baskets from Daniel Marcelo and Lawrence Hawkins, La Salle remained composed behind a balanced attack. Miller created separation for a step-back jumper, Lebron Daep connected on a baseline shot off another Miller assist, while Mo Kulang cleaned up a missed three-pointer in the closing seconds to preserve a 22–13 lead after the opening quarter.

DLSU maintained its momentum in the second quarter behind disciplined half-court execution and strong interior defense. EJ Gollena immediately attacked the basket before calmly converting two free throws to push the advantage to 26–13, while Seven Gagate finished an easy basket underneath from a Vhoris Marasigan setup midway through the frame. San Beda attempted to trim the deficit through Richi Calimag’s outside shooting and Aldous Torculas’ second-chance opportunities, but Cortez responded with complete control of the offense, converting two free throws before weaving through defenders for a beautiful floater that restored a double-digit cushion, 32–19. The Green Archers continued to capitalize on timely execution as Miller buried another three-pointer from beyond the arc off an Amos assist at the 4:20 mark, extending the lead to 35–21. Physicality intensified late in the half as both teams battled for rebounds and loose balls, but La Salle maintained its composure through disciplined rotations and efficient scoring. Rhyle Melencio converted both free throws after drawing contact on a strong drive, while Guillian Quines calmly knocked down two free throws in the final minutes to help the Green Archers preserve a commanding 39–27 halftime lead.

La Salle completely took over to begin the third quarter, exploding for a 10–0 run that immediately widened the gap beyond reach. Macalalag opened the second-half scoring with a three-pointer before Luis Pablo converted consecutive baskets underneath off feeds from Cortez, stretching the lead to 46–27. The Green Archers’ defensive pressure continued to suffocate San Beda, forcing another shot clock violation before Marasigan buried a transition three-pointer to cap a dominant start, 49–27. Although the Red Lions finally found offense through John Carlo Bonzalida and Hawkins, the Green-and-White remained firmly in control behind steady execution on both ends. Amos knocked down a baseline jumper before scoring again in transition with a smooth scoop layup, while Marasigan repeatedly attacked the basket to push the lead to 57–33 midway through the quarter. Daep then added a fadeaway jumper and a late layup to maintain the cushion, while Miller answered San Beda’s late triples with a step-back jumper of his own to preserve a commanding 63–46 advantage heading into the final period.

The Red Lions attempted to rally in the fourth quarter behind outside shooting from RC Calimag and Torculas, but DLSU consistently answered every push with composed offense and interior dominance. Pablo opened the quarter with a strong spin move inside before converting an and-one putback off a missed Miller drive, extending the lead to 68–49. Miller continued orchestrating the offense with a fadeaway jumper and timely feeds, including a transition assist to Pablo after a defensive steal to keep the Green Archers comfortably ahead, 72–51. San Beda managed to trim the deficit to twelve after Marcelo and Torculas connected from the perimeter, but La Salle quickly shut down any hopes of a comeback. Kulang converted inside from a Miller setup before Miller himself buried a clutch step-back three-pointer at the 1:57 mark to stretch the lead back to seventeen, 77–60. From that point on, the Green Archers calmly managed the remaining time, securing the 78–61 victory and closing out their NSAC campaign with a third-place finish.

Quarter Scores: 22–13, 39–27, 63–46, 78–61