CHAMPS ANEW TheGreen Archers celebrate their return to form one month before theUAAPwars. AUGUSTDELACRUZ
Jason Perkins and Almond Vosotros starred for La Salle in the final stretch as the Green Archers battled back from double-digit deficits to tame the San Beda Red Lions, 71-66, yesterday and capture the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Perkins fired nine of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to help the Archers climb out of a 12-point hole, 42-54, and Vosotros sealed the victory with four free throws inside the last 10 seconds of the thrilling duel between the two reigning varsity champions.
“It was very difficult for us especially in the first three quarters,” said La Salle coach Juno Sauler. “We were lucky in the end that they (Lions) missed some shots.”
Vosotros finished with a team-high 18 points, while tournament Most Valuable Player Jeron Teng collected 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.
Teng also led the Mythical Team that included San Beda’s Ola Adeogun and Art dela Cruz, SWU’s Landry Sanjo and CEU’s Rodrigue Ebondo.
“It’s our first time to win in Filoil, but we’re still not satisfied,” Vosotros said of his Archers, who will vie for back-to-back UAAP crowns starting next month.
Perkins, who also grabbed seven rebounds, buried the go-ahead basket with two minutes to go, 66-65, after Arnold Van Opstal nailed four straight points, 65-64, to finish with nine points on top of seven boards.
The Lions, the NCAA titlists who virtually led all the way, wound up scoreless in the final 2:49 after Baser Amer gave them their last lead at 66-65.
Amer, who knocked in a game-high 23 points, kept the Lions afloat early in the fourth quarter after the Archers staged a fiery 10-0 rally to take a 58-56 edge.
Centro Escolar U earlier copped third place after a runaway 73-58 win over Southwestern U.
Rodel de Leon fired 22 points and Mon Abubdo added 19 for the Scorpions, who outscored the Cebu-based Cobras, 26-11, in the third quarter.
“We proved we can compete at any level,” said CEU coach Egay Macaraya.
Earlier, Marvin Lee drilled 25 points and Brandrey Bienes added 19 as Far Eastern University tripped San Beda, 80-72, to bag the juniors crown.
National University ruled the women’s division after downing University of Santo Tomas, 75-67.
The scores:
First Game
CEU 73—De Leon 22, Abundo 19, Ebondo 8, Jeruta 7, Sedurifa 6, Batino 6, Opiso 3, Casiño 2, Mutombo 0, Amil 0, Banua 0.
SWU 58—Sanjo 17, Mohammed 16, Tallo 11, Goloran 6, Pardo 3, Bregondo 2, Luz 2, Parker 1, Aboude 0, Racho 0.
Quarters: 16-18, 28-33, 54-44, 73-58
Second Game
LA SALLE 71—Vosotros 18, Teng 14, Perkins 14, Van Opstal 9, T. Torres 6, Salem 4, Montalbo 3, Andrada 2, N. Torres 1, Sargent 0, Tratter 0, Mustre 0.
SAN BEDA 66—Amer 23, Dela Cruz 14, A. Semerad 9, Adeogun 8, Pascual 6, Koga 4, D. Semerad 2, Ludovice 0, Solera 0, Mocon 0, Mendoza 0, Bonsubre 0.
Quarters: 13-20, 32-41, 48-56, 71-66
