It seemed that the DLSU Green Archers have completed their revenge against familiar UAAP foes FEU Tamaraws after they dominated this season’s UAAP runner-ups in a lopsided win, 74-61, in the Elite Eight round of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) earlier today at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Big man Ben Mbala led the Taft-based squad with a double-double 20 points and 12 rebounds. Jeron Teng added 14 points while Prince Rivero had his own double-double 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The Green Archers were off to a high note early in the first quarter as Teng, Rivero and Mbala took turns in making baskets to give their squad an early nine point lead, 14-5. La Salle maintained their dominance and ended the first quarter up by seven, 18-11.
La Salle continued to play consistently in the second quarter with a 7-2 run behind the efforts of Mbala and Thomas Torres. However, FEU was able to get back up from their slow start and scored eight straight points including a three pointer from Francis Tamsi to finally take the lead, 28-25.
The Tamaraws were able to lead by as much as eight points but the Green Archers were able to trim down the deficit to just four behind a three point basket by Robert Bolick. At the end of the first half, FEU was still on top, 37-33.
The Green Archers were quick to redeem themselves in the third quarter as they dominated FEU with a 13-2 run, with eight points coming from Mbala. The Taft-based squad contained FEU’s offense in the entire quarter while executing a good offense of their own. They managed to take care of a 14 point lead by the end of the third period, 60-46.
La Salle continued their hot streak in the fourth quarter with a three point field goal by Matt Salem to boost their lead to 19, 65-46. The lopsided match continued in the rest of the quarter. FEU’s Prince Orizu managed to score four straight points but wasn’t enough to get his team going. At the end of the final buzzer, the Green Archers took the victory, 74-61.
With today’s victory, the Green Archers are automatically qualified in the best-of-three finals series.
The Scores:
DLSU(74)- Mbala 20, Teng 14, Rivero 12, Torres 7, Salem 6, Tratter 5, Montalbo 5, Bolick 5, Pascual 0, Mustre 0, Muyang 0
FEU(61)-Trinidad 12, Tamsi 11, Orizu 10, Tolomia 7, Delfinado 6, Lee Yu 6, Escoto 5, Pogoy 4, Denila 0, Ebona 0
Quarter Scores
18-11, 33-37, 60-46, 74-61
