UAAP: Green Archers trounce defending champions in season opener

Winning the first game of the UAAP tournament is always a good way to start the season. But winning against the defending champions? Even better.

Despite holding the lead for most of the game, the DLSU Green Archers had to survive a late rally from the defending champions, the NU Bulldogs, to pull off a 67-63 victory in their season opener earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Fourth year veteran Jeron Teng spearheaded the La Salle attack with 18 points. His late game heroics, highlighted by a contested lay up that gave his team a two possession lead late in the fourth, sealed the win for La Salle.

Green Archer rookie Andrei Caracut made a big impact in his collegiate debut, dropping 13 points built on three triples. La Salle’s veteran forwards Jason Perkins and Prince Rivero also contributed heavily to La Salle’s cause, combining for 24 points and 20 rebounds.

The Bulldogs, on the other hand, were led by Gelo Alolino’s 16 points, most of which came from NU’s late rally in the dying minutes of the game. JJ Alejandro was the only other Bulldog in double figures as he finished with 15.

La Salle was in complete control of the game during much of the first half. After overcoming an early 5-4 NU lead, Teng’s early eight-point outburst during the first quarter gave the Green Archers a 10-point lead by the end of first period. Come second quarter, Perkins and Caracut shouldered most of the offensive load, combining for 15 points on three three-pointers, ending the half with a 33-23 lead.

It was in the third quarter that NU started showing signs of a comeback, with the Bulldogs’ Alfred Aroga and Alejandro leading the assault at the start of the second half. A late rally led by Alolino managed to trim the deficit to just three with just 1:03 left in the fourth quarter. However, veteran forward Jeron Teng managed to convert a tough lay up with 23 seconds left in the clock to ultimately seal the win for the Green Archers.  

To sum it up, it was a grinding battle from start to finish for these two championship teams, as defense became the main offense for both squads, with 33 turnovers being a testament to that. La Salle shot 38 percent from the field during the course of the game, while the Bulldogs managed to make just 29 percent of their field goals. The rebounding numbers also showed the game’s intensity, with NU outrebounding the Archers, 47-42.  Lastly, a total of 35 fouls, including one technical foul, were called by the officials, with NU’s Alfred Aroga fouling out late in the fourth quarter.

Up next for the Green Archers are the UP Fighting Maroons, whom they will face this Wednesday, September 9, at 2 pm in the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Scores:

DLSU 67 – Teng 18, Caracut 13, Perkins 13, Rivero 11, Sargent 6, Torres 3, Tratter 3, Go 0, Langston 0

NU 63 – Alolino 16, Alejandro 15, Aroga 9, Diputado 8, Javelona 4, Salim 4, Neypes 3, Javillonar 2, Morido 2, Abatayo 0, Celda 0, Rangel 0, Tansingco 0

Quarter Scores: 16-6, 33-23, 51-40, 67-63