The DLSU Green Archers stumbled in their 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup debut as they fell prey to the NU Bulldogs, 70-64, in a physical Final Four rematch earlier tonight, May 17. Still searching for their offensive identity and adjusting to a retooled frontcourt, the reigning UAAP Season 88 champions could not take advantage of their relentless defense to overcome their familiar foes.
Reinhard Jumamoy spearheaded the scoring charge for the Bulldogs with 15 points, while Mo Diassana capitalized on La Salle’s missing interior presence to add nine markers and secure the victory.
Despite falling short, Jacob Cortez and Mason Amos delivered steady performances for the Taft-based squad. The duo anchored the Green-and-White with 13 points apiece in the grind-out loss.
Sluggish start
The Green Archers endured a slow opening quarter as the Bulldogs’ aggressive defense kept them scoreless through the first three minutes of the game. However, both teams struggled to find rhythm early, committing multiple turnovers and fouls in a sluggish start. NU struck first through Diassana before Cortez answered from the charity stripe, but Jumamoy’s triple briefly restored the Bulldogs’ lead. Seven Gagate then sparked the Lasallians’ offensive, knocking down a midrange jumper before converting an and-one play to give the Taft-based squad a 6-5 advantage. Cortez later found JC Macalalag on a long outlet pass for an easy transition finish, while Amos buried a corner three to extend the lead to 11-7. Despite the Green Archers controlling stretches of the quarter, the Bulldogs steadily kept pace behind quick plays from inside the paint, cutting the deficit to one by the end of the opening frame, 15-14.
The white shirts carried their momentum into the second quarter, quickly tying the game through Tebol Garcia’s split free throws before both squads once again went cold in the opening minutes. Amos briefly reclaimed the lead with a putback basket, but Jumamoy retaliated with an open triple for the Bulldogs. The Green Archers responded through transition opportunities, with Moses Kulang converting an easy layup and Earl Abadam scoring off his own steal. However, the Sampaloc-based squad consistently answered behind quick plays from PJ Palacielo and Diassana, igniting a 9-2 run to give NU a 27-23 advantage. Amos later drained a deep three to tie the game at 28-all, but the Bulldogs closed the half stronger as Jolo Navarro cleaned up a putback before Garcia finished a fastbreak opportunity, giving the Bulldogs a 32-28 advantage heading into the halftime break.
Offensive dry spell
Emerging from the break, the Green Archers continued to search for their offensive rhythm amid a stagnant half-court execution. Despite a swift transition spark that culminated in a Macalalag fastbreak layup to snatch a slim 36-35 lead, it was short-lived. The Bulldogs relentlessly exploited DLSU’s lack of interior presence, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities and steady inside scoring from Palacielo to reclaim control. Unable to secure crucial defensive boards to anchor their stops, La Salle surrendered a late run that gave NU a 49-44 cushion heading into the fourth quarter.
The Green-and-White’s struggles worsened in the final period as they endured a grueling four-minute dry spell, allowing the Bulldogs to stretch their advantage to a game-high 15 points, 62-47. Sensing desperation in the dying minutes, the Lasallians deployed a suffocating full-court press to ignite a late rally, highlighted by deep triples from Cortez and Amos to slash the deficit to five. However, forced to stop the clock, DLSU repeatedly sent Jumamoy to the charity stripe, where he secured enough penalty shots to keep the Taft-based squad at bay. Ultimately, La Salle’s poor floor spacing and inability to control the glass proved too costly as they dropped their tournament debut, 70-64.
Just coming short off a comeback, the DLSU Green Archers will be eager to correct their course and build early momentum in the tournament as they seek to secure their first win against the UST Growling Tigers on Wednesday, May 20, at 5 pm at the same venue.
DLSU 64 – Cortez 13, Amos 13, Macalalag 10, Daep 7, Abadam 6, Gagate 6, Dungo 4, Pablo 3, Kulang 2, Gollena 0, Melencio 0, Quines 0, Sarmiento 0
NU 70 – Jumamoy 15, Diassana 9, Laconsay 8, Palacielo 8, Alfanta 7, Garcia 7, Reyes 4, Tulabut 3, Cartel 2, Fransisco 2, Navarro 2, Serrano 2, Padrones 1, Figueroa 0, Miranda 0
Quarter Scores: 15-14, 28-32, 44-49, 64-70