Staring down with a seven-point lead to open the fourth quarter, the De La Salle University Green Archers made a strong advance from behind to deal a, 75-72, victory against the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Altas last November 10 in the opener of the Philippine Collegiate Championship (PCCL) sweet 16 stepladder at the FAITH Gym in Tanuan City, Batangas.
Jeron Teng led the Archers with 19 points and six rebounds while sharpshooter Almond Vosotoros added 18 markers and six boards.
Head Coach Gee Abanilla was not surprised with Teng’s performance. He added, “The usual. He plays hard, he plays tough and I think he’ll be better.”
Nosa Omorogbe and Earl Thompson top scored for the Altas with 15 and 19 points, respectively.
Rusty start
The Archers seemed to be uncomfortable during the start of the game despite a six to nothing run against the Altas, the Archers’ last taste of the lead before making a comeback in the final canto.
Coach Abanilla explained, “It’s difficult [to go back] because after the UAAP they [the Archers] concentrated on their studies.”
Close game
Despite being down for the most part of the game, the Archers managed to grab the lead in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
The Taft-based squad, however, turned sluggish in the second quarter because of outside shooting from the Altas. The Altas made four triples in the said quarter while the Archers missed all of the team’s rainbow attempts.
“We cannot make outside shots, we take open shots, but we couldn’t make it so that pave the way to a lot of transition points also to the opponents,” Abanilla reviewed.
Second-half surge
After bowing down to the Altas in the first half, managing only 21 points, the Archers started a run in the second half with timely cuts to the basket and steady three-point shooting.
La Salle struggled to get its rhythm going as the Altas successfully planted a stifling zone defense to limit the Abanilla-mentored squad from scoring, but La Salle’s Oda Tampus managed to open many opportunities for the team.
“I think I want to commend the boy especially Oda Tampus because in the second half, I think he gave us some openings. He speed up the game, and that paved the way for some open chances for us. I think we have to work on our zone offense which we have to address in our practice,” added Head Coach Gee Abanilla after the game.
Frontline authority
Norbert Torres and Van Opstal showed remarkable leaps in the game as the big man duo finished the game with a combined 21 points, 21 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Van Opstal also fueled the Archers as a placed a vicious slam over the outstretched arms of Omorogbe to end the third quarter.
The Green Archers, the top rebounding team in the past UAAP season, continued the trend and displayed a 42-30 rebounding advantage.
Depleted yet strong
Despite missing a few players, the Archers showcased depth against a relatively complete Perpetual squad. The latter squad fielded in graduated shooter Jett Vidal, whom the Archers held down to just nine points, far from his 17 point average.
“I think I have 12 capable guys [in the bench]. It’s just a matter of being aware of who your opponent is,” Abanilla added.
The Archers played without graduating forwards Jovet Mendoza and Joshua Webb while Team Captain L.A. Revilla underwent surgery on his left ankle. Luigi Dela Paz also had the same procedure on his dislocated right shoulder.
Cebuano point guard Mac Tallo also did not suit up for the game as the coaching staff wants him to focus on his academics.
Moving on
The Archers will face the Adamson Soaring Falcons this coming November 15 at Cebu City.
If the Archers win, the team could potentially face the San Sebastian Golden Stags and the National University Bulldogs.
Scores:
DLSU (75) – Teng 19, Vosotros 18, N. Torres 15, Tampus 7, Van Opstal 6, T. Torres 6, Andrada 2, Manguera 2, Paredes 0, Gotladera 0, Reyes 0, Herrera 0.
UPHSD (72) – Omorogbe 17, Thompson 17, Vidal 9, Allen 9, Alano 6, Babayemi 4, Arboleda 4, Elopre 4, Paulino 2.
