UAAP: Green Archers dominate UST, end first round at 5-2

The DLSU Green Archers ended the first round on a high note as they beat the UST Growling Tigers, 83-70, earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena. With the win, La Salle improves to 5-2 in the standings, and extends its winning streak to five games.

Jeron Teng led the Green Archers with 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists while Jason Perkins contributed 15 points and nine rebounds in the victory.

Meanwhile, veteran Aljon Mariano led the charge for UST with 20 points and three rebounds. Louie Vigil also added 19 points, scoring 18 in the first quarter.

With Perkins and Vigil answering each other with the first two baskets of the game, it seemed that both teams were determined not to let the other pull away. The first five minutes of the first period were highlighted by an exchange of points from both squads. La Salle managed to hold the lead though beginning with a Rivero triple which gave them a 15-12 advantage. The quarter ended with only a slim two-point lead for the Green Archers, 17-15.

The Green Archers dominated the Growling Tigers during the first few minutes of the second period. However, back-to-back triples from Vigil were able to shift the lead back to UST’s favor, 35-32. Almond Vosotros answered back with a triple of his own, ending the first half at 35-all.

Unfortunately, Norbert Torres suffered a cut on his finger during the second period, forcing him to sit out of the match early.

Mariano opened the second half with a three pointer to lift the Growling Tigers, 38-35. UST and La Salle then exchanged baskets in the entire quarter but the Green Archers had a 10-1 run to take back the lead, 56-51. Robert Bolick then hit a three point basket for La Salle in the final seconds of the third quarter to keep them ahead by eight points, 59-51.

The Green Archers were able to keep their lead in the opening of the final quarter with Julian Sargent delivering the baskets to put his squad ahead by eight, 65-57. Perkins hit a two-point field goal to give the Green Archers a 10 point advantage then later on took a shot beyond the arc to give La Salle its biggest lead of the match, 77-64.

UST was in foul trouble with a minute left to play. The duo of Karim Abdul and Kevin Ferrer both fouled out after committing five personal fouls each with the Growling Tigers still behind by 10. UST was unable to convert on any field goals while the Green Archers were shooting consistently from the free throw line to give them a steady lead in the dying seconds. At the last tick of the clock, Teng hit another shot to end the match in favor of La Salle, 83-70.

In spite of the injuries to what is now a total of five Green Archers, head coach Juno Sauler commended his bench players for stepping up to the occasion, particularly Julian Sargent who contributed 10 points and four rebounds. “Julian played an all-around game,” the La Salle mentor commented after the game. He also commended Bolick for performing well in his defense.

The Scores:

DLSU 83: Teng 22, Perkins 15, Rivero 12, Sargent 10, Vosotros 9, Bolick 5, Andrada 4, Tratter 4, N. Torres 2, Montalbo 0

UST 70: Mariano 20, Vigil 19, Ferrer 11, Abdul 10, Pe 6, Sheriff 4, Daquioag 0, Dela Cruz 0, Lao 0, Lo 0. Macasaet 0, Subido 0

Quarter scores: 17-15, 35-35, 59-51, 83-70