UAAP: Green Archers complete come-from-behind versus NU, remain undefeated after four games

In a battle of the UAAP’s only two undefeated teams, the DLSU Green Archers were able to claw out a hard fought 75-66 victory over the NU Bulldogs earlier today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. In a true test of character, La Salle showed resilience in its ability to fight back in a game it trailed in by as much as nine points.

Coach Aldin Ayo after the game emphasized the role everyone played in the victory, saying, “We make sure that the fifteen guys are ready to play every game.”

Jeron Teng, who came off the bench for the second straight game, led the way with 23 points on 11 of 18 shooting. Ben Mbala contributed 16 points and 15 rebounds in the winning effort. Former Green Archer, Matt Salem, led the way for the Bulldogs with 15 points, while Alfred Aroga was held to a subpar two point and three rebound performance.

Even first half

Salem started the game quickly, scoring five points to give NU the early advantage. Jay Alejandro hit a three-pointer at the 6:24 mark that extended the Bulldog lead to 10-5. La Salle, though, was able to respond by scoring a majority of its points off turnovers, punctuated by an Aljun Melecio lay-up at the 15.7 mark. Rev Diputado hit a buzzer beating floater at the end of the quarter but a combined 11 points from Ben Mbala and Jeron Teng were enough to give the Green Archers a slim 17-16 at the end of the first period.

NU increased its defensive intensity at the onset of the second quarter, as they quickly snatched the lead from the Green and White. Faced with full court pressure, DLSU committed four straight turnovers to begin the period. La Salle finally scored its first points of the quarter, at the 6:45 mark, when Prince Rivero put back an Mbala miss.

After being frustrated by the NU defense all quarter, a Jollo Go three-pointer gave the Green Archers their first deadlock of the period at 31-all at the 2:49 mark. Matthew Aquino brought back momentum to the NU side with a three-pointer and a block but four points from Teng in the final 20 seconds of the quarter knotted the game at 37-all.

Strong finish

Again, the Bulldogs began the quarter looking more crisp and energized than the team in white. An Aroga lay-up at the 5:47 mark gave NU a 48-41 lead. In the midst of a 10-2 Bulldog run, things worsened for the Archers, as Teng was forced to sit down after being called for his 4th personal foul.

Facing a nine point lead, the La Salle bench took it upon themselves to bring the team back. Holding NU to without a field goal for the final 5:15 of the third quarter, DLSU clawed its way back to a two-point deficit, ignited by a quick four points from Ricci Rivero. The score was 52-54 in favor of NU, at the end of three quarters.

Though Mbala immediately picked up his fourth personal foul, an Andrei Caracut lay-up tied the game for La Salle at the 9:01 mark of the final quarter. Alejandro responded with a three-pointer but Aljun Melecio’s free-throws cut the NU lead to two.

After an almost ten minute delay due to technical malfunctions, Teng came out firing, scoring the next six DLSU points. Though Salem continued to respond to keep the Bulldogs close, relentless defense from Kib Montalbo created multiple opportunities for the Green Archers to score on the fast break. Lay-ups from Tratter, Ricci Rivero, and Mbala gave La Salle a seven point lead at the two minute mark. A three-pointer from Montalbo at the 45.9 mark served as the final deterrent to an NU win.

DLSU forced 29 Bulldog turnovers but were out rebounded 37-35. The Green Archer bench was spectacular in the effort, outscoring NU 46-20. In an exciting game that featured ten lead changes and four deadlocks, La Salle was put in a difficult position against a team it lost to twice in the preseason.

Teng, however, knows that there is much to better upon. “For us, a win is a win, but we still have to improve.”

Ayo, when asked of the possibility of going undefeated, was quick to say, “We’re not thinking of that. We’re just taking things one game at a time.”

The Green Archers resume action on Saturday, September 24, at 2 pm, as they face the Adamson Falcons at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Scores:

DLSU 75- Teng 23, Mbala 16, Tratter 6, Ri Rivero 6, Montalbo 5, Torres 4, Melecio 4, Caracut 3, Baltazar 3, Go 3, Pr Rivero 2, Sargent 0

NU 66- Salem 15, Alejandro 14, R Diputado 10, Morido 7, Sinclair 6, Abatayo 4, Aquino 3, Aroga 2, Salim 2, M Diputado 2, Mosqueda 1, Rangel 0, Yu 0, Gallego 0

Quarter Scores: 17-16, 37-37, 52-54, 75-66