La Salle routs NU, faces FEU in playoff for No. 2

Video by INQUIRER.net’s Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle banked on a fourth-quarter run to pull away from National University for a 68-56 win to earn a playoff for the last twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Green Archers closed the Bulldogs out with a 17-5 surge to grab a 66-48 buffer on a basket by Julian Sargent with 2:36 left.

Almond Vosotros led La Salle in scoring with 15 points while Arnold Van Opstal posted 14 points and six rebounds.

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La Salle, seeking a second straight championship, takes on Far Eastern Univetsity on Saturday with the winner entering the semifinals as the No. 2 seed.

Ateneo shocked FEU, 68-64, in overtime earlier Saturday to claim the top spot.

“We just have to match the intensity of FEU as they play a fast-paced game and make sure we defend their scorers, especially Belo and Tolomia,” said DLSU head coach Juno Sauler.

Norbert Torres also ended up in double-digits with 13 points, including six straight that pushed the Archers’ lead to 11, 55-44, with 7:43 left.

“I think we’re a scary team if everyone else is involved,” said Sauler, whose team drew a collective effort with Jeron Teng and Jason Perkins tallying nine and eight points, respectively.

Gelo Alolino tallied a game-high 18 points while Troy Rosario added 14 for NU, which has yet to clinch a Final Four berth.

A win by fifth-running University of the East over University of Santo Tomas on Tuesday will pave the way for another playoff but this time for the last semis slot between the Red Warriors and the Bulldogs.

A loss by UE automatically gives NU the fourth seed.