MANILA, Philippines — UAAP champion De La Salle got back at South Western University, 64-54, in the opener of their best-of-three championship duel in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Monday at the Arena in San Juan.
Forward Jeron Teng scored 18 points on seven-of-12 shooting to lead the Green Archers, who aim to close out the Finals series Tuesday and seize their second National title after winning it in 2008.
La Salle, which avenged a 58-68 overtime defeat to SWU in the round-robin Final Four, took a commanding 59-37 advantage early in the fourth quarter before the Cobras threatened late.
“We played careless the last two minutes. We turned the ball over too much. I just told them to finish the game and play smarter and make smarter decisions,” said DLSU head coach Juno Sauler, who paraded an ailing squad.
Guard Almond Vosotros played just seven minutes due to a sprain, Kib Montalbo had to deal with an elbow injury in 18 minutes of play, Matt Salem has recurring back spasms and center Arnold Van Opstal logged only six minutes after still experiencing soreness on his hip.
Fortunately for the Archers, Teng, Thomas Torres and Norbert Torres doubled their efforts to fill in for their hurting teammates.
Thomas Torres had 15 points, including a three-point play that staved off the Cobras’ run, 64-52, with only 1:18 left while Norbert Torres finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Teng also had six rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes — a night after being named as the SMART Player of the Year — a recognition given by the UAAP/NCAA Press Corps.
Gab Reyes chipped in nine points and five rebounds in 16 minutes.
“I’m happy with the way he (Reyes) played. Different dimension compared to how Jason Perkins play,” said Sauler.
Landry Sanjo had 16 points and 13 rebounds but SWU couldn’t get its outside shooting going as it shot just two-of-19 from the long range.
The Cobras also fumbled the ball over too many times with 18 turnovers that led to 22 easy points for the Archers.