Make that five wins in a row for De La Salle after it shot down Mapua, 96-86, in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Preseason Premier Cup Wednesday evening at the Arena in San Juan.
As big as the margin was, Green Archers head coach Juno Sauler wasn’t all that satisfied with his team’s performance as the Cardinals looked for a last minute stunner.
La Salle had a 14-point lead, 91-77, midway through the fourth but the Cardinals trimmed it to nine, 84-93, when Josan Nimes drove in for a layup with a minute left.
Sauler said his team cannot give up 86 points and win easily.
“We can’t give up those points,” Sauler said as his team notched a 5-1 win-loss card. “We won’t be satisfied with this defense.”
La Salle outscored Mapua, 29-15, in the third but Sauler did not look at it as an offensive achievement but rather as a defensive effort.
“We should limit teams on that number.”
Prince Rivero led the Green Archers with 22 points and 13 boards while Thomas Torres had 21 points and five assists.
Nimes led the 1-5 Mapua with a game-high 28 points while Allwell Oraeme had 11 points and 19 boards. CC