UAAP: Green Archers falter against Ateneo, drop to 0-2

The beginning of UAAP Season 77 has not been so sweet for the DLSU Green Archers as they dropped their second straight game to start the season the season. After a disappointing opening day loss, they fell this time against their archrivals, the ADMU Blue Eagles, 97-86.

Ateneo rose behind the efforts of star guard Kiefer Ravena who notched a game-high 29 points on the strength of five made three pointers. Von Pessumal and Fonzo Gotladera also aided the Blue Eagles in their cause with 21 and 17 points respectively.

Meanwhile, the Green Archers were led by Jason Perkins who registered a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds. Almond Vosotros and Jeron Teng added another 18 and 15 points to support La Salle’s charge.

Things started well for the Green Archers as they opened the first quarter with a 13-4 run. Ending the first period on top by seven, 24-17, La Salle’s offense smoothly transitioned from one possession to the next. However, Ateneo bounced back in the second period, outscoring the Green Archers by nine, 22-13. Behind Pessumal’s 12 first half points, Ateneo shifted the lead to their favor come halftime, 39-37.

Ateneo’s Ravena, Nico Elorde and Pessumal worked hand-in-hand to maintain their lead at the opening of the second half. Meanwhile, Perkins made several significant baskets for La Salle to cut Ateneo’s seven point lead to just three, 59-56. Perkins took the last shot at the end of the quarter to trim the lead of ADMU to two, 61-59.

Ravena was on fire in the first few minutes of the final quarter, bagging three triples to keep them ahead of La Salle. No baskets were coming for the Green Archers as they found themselves down by 11 points with less than three minutes left to play. Ravena hit another three pointer to push the lead to 14 points for the Blue Eagles.

The Green Archers were in foul trouble at the last minute of the game as they resorted to intentionally fouling ADMU. Vosotros and Perkins eventually fouled out after committing five personals apiece. By the final buzzer, La Salle lost to Ateneo by 11 points, 97-86.

La Salle head Coach Juno Sauler commented after the game that they tried to play consistently in the last 10 minutes of the game. He added that they have to “toughen up” their defense while keeping their offense consistent.

The Green Archers will try to bounce back after their back-to-back losses when they take on the NU Bulldogs on July 23 at 4 pm in the Mall of Asia Arena.