UAAP: Green Archers drop opener against FEU

The DLSU Green Archers, the defending UAAP champions, found themselves in a familiar situation as they succumbed to the FEU Tamaraws, 82-77, in their UAAP Season 77 opener. During the previous season, the Green Archers also dropped their opening match which was against the UST Growling Tigers.

Nursing a 23-10 advantage at the end of the first quarter, the Taft-based squad was outscored by the resilient Tamaraws for the rest of the game behind the combined efforts of guard Chris Tolomia and forward Mark Belo.

The Green Archers started the game on a roll with five straight points coming from team captain Jeron Teng while FEU struggled with their inside shooting due to La Salle’s height advantage and defensive intensity. The Green-and-White squad stood behind Almond Vosotros who registered seven points in the opening period to lift the team.

The Tamaraws though rallied back in the second quarter behind the veteran tandem of Belo and Tolomia. DLSU constantly attacked the paint but had no luck in achieving some conversions. Green Archer rookie big man Abu Tratter struggled early, gathering three fouls in just over two minutes in the second quarter. FEU, on the other hand, improved defensively which earned them several fastbreak opportunities. The first half concluded with a score of 37-33 in favor of the Taft-based squad. FEU’s Belo led all scorers at the half, registering 13 points.

FEU came out of the halftime break on a mission, as they continued to convert easy transition baskets early in the second half. Tolomia scored five straight points making up for his slow start during the first half. Also, the Tamaraws employed sharper defense, making DLSU commit costly turnovers.

However, the Green Archers’ collective offensive effort, led by Almond Vosotros’ 18 points, provided DLSU enough fire power to stay in the game. During the latter part of the third quarter, scoring exchanges between La Salle’s Norbert Torres and Tolomia increased the game’s intensity, as the quarter ended with a two point lead for DLSU.

The Recto-based crew completed its game-deciding rally during the last period. Tolomia was unstoppable as he nailed down their first victory of the season. He dropped three triples in the final quarter, along with several assists to teammates in an exhilarating display of skill.

Both teams traded baskets early in the fourth quarter, but FEU’s spacing, shooting, and overall composure were just too much to handle for La Salle as they toppled the defending champions.

La Salle’s free throw woes and miscommunications during the final minutes added to the team’s misery, as they misfired free throws and committed crucial turnovers late in the game.

Up next for the Green Archers is a battle with their archrivals, the ADMU Blue Eagles, on Sunday, July 20, at 11 am in the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The scores:

FEU 82: Tollomia 23, Belo 20, Ru. Escoto 13, Cruz 11, Iñigo 5, Jose 3, Hargrove 2, Denison 0, Ri. Escoto 0, Denila 0

DLSU 77: Vosotros 18, Teng 14, Perkins 11, T. Torres 9, van Opstal 7, Montalbo 6, Tratter 2, Sargent 2, Rivero 2, Bolick 0, Andrada 0

Quarter scores: 23-10, 37-33, 59-57, 77-82