The DLSU Green Archers edged the UP Fighting Maroons, 78-72, earlier today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Jeron Teng, who was back in action after missing two games proved to be the spark for La Salle on head coach Aldin Ayo’s birthday. “A win is a win siyempre,” said Teng after the game. “When we review this game we will see a lot of room for improvement,” he added.
Ben Mbala was limited in the first half, but a strong finish gave the MVP front runner another impressive stat line that saw him finish with 17 points, 20 rebounds, and two steals. Teng added 21 points and 5 rebounds in his return to the starting line-up. Though most players come back from injury with rust, Teng provided a positive impact for the Green Archers. After the game, the captain said that he never felt better, adding that it was a struggle for him early in the season.
Paul Desiderio paced the Fighting Maroons with 16 points and eight rebounds. Center Andrew Harris went head-to-head with Mbala scoring only four points and grabbing four rebounds, but playing sturdy defense on the La Salle big man throughout the game. Jett Manuel added 13 points, but committed six turnovers in the losing effort.
First half
The returning Teng immediately made his presence felt, scoring four of his nine first quarter points within the game’s first two minutes. The game started out close with an 8-7 score in favor of DLSU. At the halfway point of the period, an increase in defensive pressure sparked a 13-point La Salle run at about the four minute mark.
During this stretch, the Fighting Maroons were unable to get the ball passed the half court line as the relentless DLSU defense suffocated the UP backcourt. The Frighting Maroons ended the quarter on a 5-0 scoring run to cut the Green Archer lead to 11, 25-14, after the first quarter.
While Ricci Rivero opened the second quarter with a three-pointer, the period was dominated by UP. The Fighting Maroons managed to out-hustle and outdefend the Green-and-White.
The entire DLSU frontline was kept scoreless in the quarter as UP managed to deny La Salle’s guards from setting up its big men. Four DLSU three-pointers, highlighted by a bank-shot from Teng in the top of the key, that kept La Salle in front. A four point play by Jarrell Lim at the second quarter buzzer ignited the UP supporters as the Fighting Maroons trailed closely, 41-34, at the half.
Second half
Manuel, the league’s fifth best scorer, managed to cut La Salle’s lead to three points off two consecutive layups. The league’s best scorer in Mbala, however, carried the Green Archers in the quarter by adding 12 crucial points. It was a slow period that saw multiple fouls and scrambles for the ball on both ends of the court. Gomez di Liaño’s eight third quarter points were a key factor in allowing UP to stay close. A Ricci Rivero three-point play at the end of the period, which signified the first DLSU points of the quarter not scored by Mbala, provided the team a cushion. After an evenly scored quarter, the Green Archers continued to lead by seven, 55-48.
At the start of the fourth quarter, La Salle showed aggression in getting to the basket. By continually getting to the free throw line, DLSU was able to score points and properly set up its defense. It took a collective effort for the Green Archers to put the Fighting Maroons away, as the latter went on an 11-2 scoring run in the game’s closing minutes.
DLSU was able to force 33 UP turnovers, but it was the Fighting Maroons who won the battle in the paint, outscoring La Salle, 34-28. Both teams hit eight three-pointers, but the Green-and-White gained a significant advantage on rebounds, grabbing 13 more than UP, 52-39. The Green Archers led by as many as 16 points, but the Fighting Maroons carried on and continued to fight until the game’s final buzzer.
Notably, coach Bo Perasol’s strategy of overplaying Mbala in the post proved to be effective for UP in the first half. The La Salle guards were unable to feed their leading scorer, who was limited to only four points at halftime. The defensive scheme of the Fighting Maroons led to DLSU shooting only 34 percent from the field, its lowest of the season.
La Salle, which is now five games a way from sweeping the elimination round, looks to stay focused. Coach Paolo Sauler said, “We just want to take it one game at a time and give our best effort next game.” After a game that saw multiple DLSU errors Teng said, “We have three days. Hopefully we can fix our mistakes.”
The Green Archers resume action on Wednesday, October 19, as they face the NU Bulldogs at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
The scores:
DLSU 78- Teng 21, Mbala 17, Torres 13, Melecio 9, Ri Rivero 9, Pr Rivero 4, Montalbo 3, Caracut 2, Tratter 0, Perkins 0, Baltazar 0, Go 0
UP 72- Desiderio 16, Manuel 13, Gomez de Liaño 11, Lim 8, Moralde 7, Harris 4, Prado 4, Lao 4, Espanola 3, Dario 2, Webb 0, Romero 0, Vito 0, Jaboneta 0
Quarter scores: 25-14, 41-34, 55-48, 78-72
