MANILA, Philippines — Jeron Teng and Jason Perkins led the way as De La Salle rebounded from its heartbreaking loss in its first game with a 96-84 win over University of the Philippines Wednesday in the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Teng and Perkins, who also grabbed 13 rebounds, scored 20 points each for the Green Archers, who improved to 1-1 after losing to University of Santo Tomas in overtime last Saturday.
“Siguro first game jitters lang kami in our first game. [We’re] getting used to our new system with Coach Juno. He wanted a fast-paced game,” said the forward Teng.
The Fighting Maroons stayed within striking distance for majority of the game thanks to their hot-shooting from downtown — connecting on 14-of-28 — with ex-Green Archer Sam Marata hitting five threes.
Marata paced UP with a career-best 21 points while also getting help from rookie point guard Kyles Lao, who added 18 points on eight-of-eight shooting at the line.
But it wasn’t enough for the Maroons, who got out-rebounded, 32-51.
UP was just within four, 74-78, after a triple by Henry Asilum but La Salle answered with a 10-3 run capped by a drive by Almond Vosotros to stretch their lead back to 11, 88-77, with 4:27 left.
La Salle got a lift from point guard Thomas Torres, who produced career-bests 14 points and nine assists.