FilOil: Green Archers escape San Beda, clinch championship

The past few months have been sweet for the DLSU Green Archers as they won their third championship since last October, overcoming the reigning NCAA Champion SBC Red Lions in the FilOil Flying V Premier Cup finals. Almond Vosotros led the team in scoring with 18 points and he added three rebounds, three assists, and two steals for a complete line. UAAP Finals MVP Jeron Teng was awarded with MVP honors in the tourney as he chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks to DLSU’s cause.

The first three quarters were shaky for the Green Archers. Missed free throws made it difficult for the team to run past San Beda as La Salle shot a mere 52 percent compared to the Red Lions’ 62 percent shooting. Turnovers also haunted La Salle’s offense as they tallied 14 turnovers, with Teng contributing six of them.

Baser Amer was the main thorn in the Green Archers’ side as he garnered a game-high 23 points and made three triples while collecting seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Red Lion Arthur Dela Cruz controlled the boards with a game-high 15 rebounds.

The fourth quarter opened with La Salle initiating their late-game heroics. Vosotros, Jason Perkins, Arnold van Opstal, Norbert Torres, and Thomas Torres came up big as they combined for 23 points in the fourth quarter, compared to 10 from the entire San Beda squad.

Three pointers were being fired from both teams as the lead went back-and-forth, with neither team seemingly gaining an edge. It was only when Perkins hit a tough fadeaway with 2:05 minutes remaining that La Salle was able to take control of the game with a 67-66 lead. San Beda never recovered then Vosotros clinched the championship after getting a crucial steal and hitting four clutch free throws. The game ended with a final score of 71-66.

Now the champions of the UAAP, PCCL and FilOil Preseason Cup, the DLSU Green Archers look to continue their strong run as they start UAAP Season 77 with a match-up against the FEU Tamaraws on July 12 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The scores:

DLSU 71: Vosotros – 18, Teng – 14, Perkins – 14, van Opstal – 9, T. Torres – 6, Salem – 4, Montalbo – 3, Andrada – 2, N. Torres – 1

SBC 66: Amer – 23, Dela Cruz -14, A, Semerad – 9, Adeogun – 8, Pascual – 6, Koga – 4, D. Semerad – 2

Quarter Scores: 13-20, 32-41, 48-56, 71-66