Archers, Lions seal semis cast

Two Collegiate champions rounded out the Final Four cast as La Salle halted Far Eastern University’s unbeaten run, 94-89, while San Beda turned back National University, 88-81, in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup yesterday.

Emerging as La Salle’s surprise performer, Thomas Torres drilled 21 of his 23 points from beyond the arc as the Archers built double-digit leads before surviving the Tamaraws’ furious fightback in their knockout quarterfinal battle at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

“It was very hard fought,” said La Salle coach Juno Sauler. “FEU was very tough. They gave us a good fight, especially in the end.”

Anthony Semerad also sizzled for the Red Lions with 22 points built on an  8-of-9 shooting clip, including 4-of-4 from rainbow territory.

“Credit goes to the players in the second half,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez. “They stepped up on defense and were able to adjust on the pick and rolls.”

The UAAP champion Archers will clash with Cebu’s Southwestern University in the Final Four at 2 p.m. tomorrow, while the NCAA titlist Lions battle  Centro Escolar University at 4 p.m.

Arnold Van Opstal chipped in  16 points, the last four inside the final 50 seconds that put the Archers back on top, 90-87, after the Tamaraws snatched the lead, 87-86, with a Mike Tolomia triple. Opstal  also snatched   12 rebounds on top of five assists. With reports from Paul Kennedy A. Lintag and Michael Carlo C. Rodolfo, Contributors

The scores:

First Game

LA SALLE 94—T. Torres 23, Van Opstal 16, Teng 13, Perkins 13, Vosotros 10, Rivero 6, N. Torres 4, Andrada 4, Sargent 3, Montalbo 2, Salem 0.

FEU 89–Tolomia 22, Belo 18, Hargrove 15, Ru. Escoto 10, Pogoy 7, Iñigo 4, Cruz 4, Jose 3, Tamsi 2, Ri. Escoto 2, David 2, Delfinado 0, Dennison 0, Ugsang 0.

Quarters: 16-15, 49-43, 78-69, 94-89

Second Game

SAN BEDA 88–A. Semerad 22, Amer 17, Adeogun 12, Dela Cruz 8, Koga 8, Mocon 6, Pascual 5, Tongco 4, Ludovice 2, Cabanag 2, Mendoza 2, D. Semerad 0, Abarcar 0.

NU 81–Aroga 22, Rosario 14, Alolino 11, Celda 8, Neypes 7, Khobuntin 6, Diputado 4, Perez 4, Alejandro 3, Betayene 2, Javelona 0, Salim 0.

Quarters: 19-22, 37-39, 65-59, 88-81