UAAP: Teng’s 32 points lift Green Archers past Ateneo

After bowing to the ADMU Blue Eagles in the first round, the DLSU Green Archers managed to avenge their loss with an 88-86 win earlier today at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Jeron Teng’s all-around game lifted the Green Archers past the pesky Blue Eagles as he had a season high 32 points, with 21 coming in the first half. He added six rebounds and five assists as well while he also converted 17 of his 20 free throws including several crucial ones down the stretch.

“I just really work on my free throws because I know [in] every game, I’ll take lots of free throws,” Teng shared after the win.

Chris Newsome lifted the Blue Eagles in the final quarter to take the lead for the first time in the game, 72-71. The Green Archers, however, managed to take back the lead behind the efforts of rookies Julian Sargent and Prince Rivero. Sargent hit a three pointer with only two minutes left to play to give La Salle a steady four point lead, 81-77.

Points from the free throw line made the difference for the Green Archers as this put them ahead at 87-83 with only eight seconds left in the clock. Newsome surprised La Salle with a shot beyond the three-point arc to cut the deficit to just one, 87-86, with three seconds left to play. Almond Vosotros scored one out of two free throws to seal the game in favor of La Salle, 88-86.

Before the back and forth battle in the second half, the Green-and-White controlled the game as Teng blitzed to a fast-paced first quarter. The team captain outscored the Blue Eagles in the first canto with 15 markers compared to ADMU’s 10.

The boys from Taft held the biggest lead of the game with 13 off two free throws by Teng.

Kiefer Ravena found his mark in the second quarter by firing off 15 points after a scoreless opening quarter.

Rivero played quality minutes off the bench as he made a living under the basket, cleaning up missed attempts.

Coach Juno Sauler’s squad capitalized on its size advantage despite not fielding Arnold van Opstal by having 38 inside points as opposed to 28 by ADMU.

DLSU had plenty of help coming from second stringers as Sargent, Bolick and Rivero had big scoring nights with 11, 10 and nine points. The trio played with quickness and hustle on both ends of the floor to help DLSU’s cause.

Nico Elorde fired with two three pointers in the opening of the second half to keep Ateneo close to the Green Archers. Jason Perkins and Robert Bolick then scored their own three point field goals to maintain La Salle’s lead, 56-49. However, the Blue Eagles went on a 10-2 run that tied the game for the first time since the first quarter, 61-all. La Salle answered back with a 5-0 run to end the third quarter with a five point advantage, 66-61.

Ateneo was led by Ravena who scored 22 points and Newsome who came up with 15 markers.

According to Green Archers head coach Juno Sauler, he expected that their second round face off against Ateneo will not be an easy one. “Very well fought between the two teams as expected,” he says about the outcome of the game.

With the win, the Taft-based squad share first place at six wins and two losses with ADMU and FEU.

The DLSU Green Archers will look to extend their winning streak to seven games as they face the UP Fighting Maroons at 2pm on Saturday, August 23, in the Mall of Asia Arena.

The scores:

DLSU 88: Teng 32, Perkins 18, Sargent 11, Bollick 10, Rivero 9, Vosotros 6, Torres N. 2, Tratter 0, Montalbo 0, Mustre 0

ADMU 86: Ravena 22, Newsome 15, Elorde 14, Gotladera 10, Pessumal 10, Tolentino 7, Capacio 6, Babilonia 2

Quarter scores: 19-10, 44-36, 66-61, 88-86