JERON Teng of La Salle goes for a shot off Kevin Baytan of Adamson in yesterday’s match at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
La Salle overcame a subpar performance to down a tough-fighting Adamson, 66-57, and boost its Final Four bid in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jason Perkins dropped 13 of his 16 points in the second half and grabbed 16 rebounds to power the Archers past the winless Falcons, who came close to wiping out several double-digit deficits.
“We didn’t shoot very well from the floor,” said La Salle coach Juno Sauler after his defending champion Archers tied Ateneo at second (8-3). “We had lots of attempts from the three but only made one. There was a lack of energy also on the boards. Adamson played very aggressive.”
In the second game, University of the East kept its Final Four hopes alive despite playing without star Roi Sumang in a 64-55 upset win over National University.
UE coach Derrick Pumaren benched Sumang in the crucial match as a disciplinary measure after his ace guard missed practice on Saturday.
“We showed that UE is not a one-man team,” Pumaren said of his Warriors, who stayed in the semifinal hunt with a fifth-best 6-5 record.
The Bulldogs, who trailed by as many as 11 points, 26-37, dropped to fourth with a 7-4 card.
Taking charge from the get-go, Charles Mammie towed the Warriors to early double-digit leads before finishing with 22 points, 10 rebounds and three steals.
Paul Varilla, Gino Jumao-as and Dan Alberto also stepped up in the second half for UE.
Jeron Teng added 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Archers, who survived Don Trollano’s career-high 26 points for the Falcons.
The Falcons, winless in 11 games, last threatened at 46-41 before the Archers closed out the third period with a 9-2 spurt for a 55-43 lead.
The scores:
First Game
LA SALLE 66—Perkins 16, Teng 15, Vosotros 12, Van Opstal 7, Torres 6, Montalbo 4, Bolick 3, Sargent 3, Rivero 0.
ADAMSON 57—Trollano 26, Rios 11, Ochea 6, Nalos 5, Monteclaro 4, Aquino 3, Barrera 2, Baytan 0, Garcia 0, Iñigo 0, Polican 0, Villanueva 0.
Quarters: 23-8, 33-27, 55-43, 66-57
Second Game
UE 64—Mammie 22, Javier 8, Jumao-as 8, Varilla 8, Galanza 5, Alberto 4, De Leon 3, Charcos 2, Guiang 2, Olayon 2, Arafat 0, Palma 0.
NU 55—Alolino 13, Rosario 12, Javelona 9, Khobuntin 6, Betayene 5, Neypes 5, Aroga 3, Diputado 2, Alejandro 0, Celdo 0, Perez 0.
Quarters: 8-11, 19-15, 37-29, 64-55