Teodoro, Bombers shock Archers in Filoil opener
Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Jose Rizal University pulled of an instant shocker after upsetting defending champion La Salle, 85-81, to open the 2017 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Monday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Tey Teodoro topped the Heavy Bombers with 17 points powered by three treys, while Jed Mendoza racked up 15 markers, five rebounds, and three assists.
“I keep on telling them prior to this game that we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. We learned a lot facing a champion team like La Salle and the boys responded with them playing with effort and with good defense,” said JRU head coach Vergel Meneses.
Darius Estrella had 11 points and four boards, while MJ Dela Virgen got 10 markers, three rebounds, and three dimes for the Bombers, who dealt the Green Archers their first loss in two years in the preseason tournament.
The Heavy Bombers squandered a nine-point lead, 81-72, with 4:28 to play but made the shots when it mattered with Gio Lasquety drilling a long two from the left corner at the two-minute mark, a split from the free throw line with 12.5 seconds left, and hauling the crucial rebound to preserve the stunning victory.
“We’ll see here how far we go as a team. We played a good game, but maybe La Salle just played a bad game. But we worked hard for this and we deserved the win,” said Meneses.
Ben Mbala led La Salle with 22 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks, while Aljun Melecio had 17 markers on a 2-of-11 shooting from threes, to go with five assists and three boards in the defeat.
The Scores:
JRU 85 – Teodoro 17, Mendoza 15, Estrella 11, Dela Virgen 10, Grospe 8, Lasquety 7, Abdulwahab 6, Poutouochi 4, Sawat 4, Bordon 3, Mate 0.
LA SALLE 81 – Mbala 22, Melecio 17, R. Rivero 13, Tratter 9, P. Rivero 7, Montalbo 5, Caracut 2, Santillan 2, Capacio 2, Go 2, Gonzales 0.
Quarters: 21-17, 42-42, 62-63, 85-81.
