MANILA, Philippines – La Salle marched into the finals of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup after booting out Southwestern University, 72-64, with an energized second half.
The reigning UAAP champions toughened up in the second half and came out with a 21-12 third quarter that tamed the gritty Cobras.
“It was a hard fought game against SWU. They kept pressuring us. It’s just fortunate we were able to adjust,” said coach Juno Sauler.
The Green Archers turned a 39-35 halftime deficit to a 56-51 lead entering the payoff period as they figured out to how neutralize SWU’s pressure defense.
“I told them not to be tentative. I told them run if there’s an opportunity because SWU is pressuring us all the way to the backcourt,” Sauler said.
La Salle’s bigs also stepped up, holding SWU’s top scorer Landy Sanjo to just four points and seven rebounds.
Norbert Torres and Arnold Van Opstal combined for 13 points and 14 rebounds for La Salle, which bagged its third finals stint including the UAAP and the PCCL.
“I should’ve come out more aggressive in the first half. I was being a little soft,” said Van Opstal.
Almond Vosotros and Jeron Teng led the Green Archers, who will face San Beda in the one-off finals on Sunday, with 19 and 14 points, respectively.
RELATED STORY