Warriors tame Archers

LA SALLE’S Arnold Van Opstal gets fouled by Charles Mammie of UE in their UAAP game yesterday. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

University of the East brought down another giant contender as the Red Warriors stunned La Salle’s defending champion Archers, 68-66, to keep their Final Four hopes alive in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Warriors rallied from 10 points down, 51-61, in the final four minutes with Bong Galanza fueling the comeback and Dan Alberto knocking in the decisive three-point play off a steal with 31.8 seconds left.

“This was a character game for us,” said coach Derrick Pumaren after his Warriors scored their third straight upset after shocking No. 1 Far Eastern University (94-71) and National University (64-55) last week.

Bur the Warriors (8-5) remained a game behind after NU tied La Salle at third place (9-4) following a 75-64 victory over the eliminated University of Santo Tomas Tigers.

Gelo Alolino, Reden Celda and Glenn Khobuntin combined for 39 points, while Paolo Javelona shot 11 in a pivotal 12-3 spurt that put the Bulldogs on top, 70-61.

Galanza drilled 10 of his 21 points in the final period with his turnaround jumper tying the game at 63 with 55.4 seconds left.

The Archers had a chance to wrest the lead, but Alberto swiped the ball off Almond Vosotros before completing a three-point play that gave UE  a 66-63 edge.

The scores:

First Game

UE 68–Galanza 21, Sumang 14, Javier 8, Alberto 6, Mammie 4, Arafat 3, De Leon 2, Palma 2, Varilla 2, Guiang 0, Olayon 0.

LA SALLE 66–Teng 23, Vosotros 11, Sargent 10, Rivero 7, Torres 7, Montalbo 6, Van Opstal 2, Andrada 0, Perkins 0.

Quarters: 15-13, 36-22. 43-39, 68-66

Second Game

NU 75–Alolino 14, Celda 13, Khobuntin 12, Javelona 11, Rosario 10, Diputado 5, Betayene 4, Aroga 4, Perez 2, Alejandro 0, Atangan 0.

UST 64–Abdul 15, Daquioag 13, Subido 11, Mariano 9, Vigil 7, Sheriff 4, Lao 3, Pe 2, Basibas 0, Faundo 0, Gayosa 0, Lo 0.

Quarters: 18-19, 40-37, 58-54, 75-64