PCCL: La Salle rebounds with big win over FEU
MANILA, Philippines — UAAP champion De La Salle pulled away in the second quarter to beat Far Eastern University, 80-60, in the single round-robin Final Four of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Tuesday at the Arena in San Juan.
Matt Salem scored a game-high 17 points — making seven of his nine shots — and had nine rebounds while Robert Bollick fired eight of his 10 points in the pivotal second period where the Green Archers got going and never let up.
La Salle got back on track in resounding fashion after losing to Southwestern University, 58-68, in overtime on Monday.
“It was just how I rotated the players yesterday. Not everyone was in their proper shape,” said DLSU head coach Juno Sauler, referring to his team’s stunning loss. “Just had to make sure they won’t tire out.”
Salem and Bollick actually outscored the Tamaraws in the second quarter, 16-15.
La Salle’s bounce back win paved the way for a knockout Thursday with the Archers facing off with NCAA champion San Beda and FEU going up against SWU with the two winners securing championship berths for the National title.
“They’re a very strong team also. Everyone is a potential threat,” Sauler said of the Red Lions.
The Tams played minus their key forward Mark Belo for the second straight outing and this time, they badly felt his absence with Mike Tolomia held to just four points on two-of-15 shooting from the field after pouring 23 points in a 62-56 win over the Lions Monday.
Jeron Teng’s offensive struggles continued with a three-of-12 shooting but he still managed to make an impact with 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Roger Pogoy and Gryan Mendoza had 14 apiece for FEU, which didn’t have head coach Nash Racela and Belo as both are part of the National team competing in the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar.
Racela serves as an assistant coach to Jong Uichico while Belo has been the squad’s surprise package after leading the team in scoring in its first two games so far.
The Archers made half of their 18 shots from long distance en route to a 40 percent shooting clip overall while the Tamaraws shot just under 30% from the floor.
