UAAP: Green Archers emerge victorious over UP, keep Final Four hopes alive

The DLSU Green Archers kept their Final Four dreams alive as they ended their three-game losing skid with a 72-68 victory over the UP Fighting Maroons yesterday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Jeron Teng led the way for the Green Archers with 20 points and four rebounds while double-doubles from Prince Rivero (18 points and 16 rebounds) and Thomas Torres (11 points and 12 rebounds) helped La Salle clinch their second win in the second round of eliminations.

It was a slow start for the Fighting Maroons as they tried to find their rhythm in the early minutes of the opening quarter. Meanwhile, the Green Archers, led by Rivero and Joshua Torralba, started out strong on offense, attacking the paint and picking UP’s defense apart with their great ball rotation. DLSU’s defense was also instrumental as they only allowed UP to score six points in the quarter.

Though they led 19-6 at the start of the second quarter, DLSU lost their offensive rhythm, converting only 14 percent of their shots. The Fighting Maroons took advantage of La Salle’s scoring woes while shooting 47 percent from the field, which helped swing momentum in their favor. UP outscored the Green Archers in the second quarter, 20-8, and by halftime, only trailed by one, 27-26.

The game’s intensity only grew from that point on as both teams started trading baskets, fouls, and the share of the lead. UP grabbed the lead at 28-27 and it was not until after five minutes that DLSU was able to take the lead back, 43-41, after a 41-all deadlock. Eventually, the Fighting Maroons snatched the lead once again and held a 52-49 heading into the fourth quarter.

With their Final Four chances hanging in the balance, the Green Archers came into the fourth quarter determined to close out UP, outscoring the Fighting Maroons 23-16 to take the lead. Free throws from Teng in the dying minutes of the game ensured the win for DLSU and improved their chances of advancing to the knockout rounds.

The win ties the Green Archers at the fourth spot with the NU Bulldogs, with both sporting identical 6-7 records. To end the preliminary round, DLSU will face the FEU Tamaraws next Wednesday, November 18, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, with the game’s outcome ultimately deciding whether the Green Archers will advance or go home.

The scores:

DLSU 72 – Teng 20, Rivero 18, Torres 11, Torralba 8, Caracut 7, Perkins 4, Muyang 2, Langston 2, Go 0

UP 68 – Manuel 15, Moralde 14, Desiderio 10, Dario 9, Longa 8, Amar 6, Kone 2, Vito 2, Gallarza 2, Juruena 0, Harris 0, Jaboneta 0, Lim 0

Quarter scores: 19-6, 27-26, 52-49, 72-68