A pumped-up Jeron Teng celebrates La Salle’s much-needed win overn UP. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
De La Salle University blew a commanding lead and needed a big fourth quarter to overcome a brave stand by University of the Philippines, 72-68, and stay on track for a Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coloseum.
The Green Archers lost an early 19-4 buffer and even fell behind by six, 60-54, with 7:04 left before going on a 15-0 tear and making the necessary stops in the endgame.
“The players just showed a lot of heart,” said DLSU head coach Juno Sauler.
“The players started pressing anchored by Jeron (Teng) and Thomas (Torres) and we started forcing turnovers. There energy just started to pick up from there,” Sauler said on his team’s telling run in the fourth quarter.
Jeron Teng restored order for La Salle, which stopped a three-game slide and tied defending champion National University in fourth place with identical 6-7 records.
Teng, who hurt his back in the first quarter but appeared just fine as he unleashed 14 of his 20 points in the second half for the Archers, who forced three turnovers in the final 30 seconds.
La Salle drew another solid game from Prince Rivero, who chalked up 18 points and 16 rebounds while Thomas Torres also had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds before twisting his right ankle late in the fourth period.
Jett Manuel paced the Fighting Maroons, who suffered their 10th loss in 13 games, with 15 points.
In a bizarre third quarter, a technical foul was called against UP for a uniform malfunction on one of its players Pio Longa.
Longa apparently had the oblation logo printed on the wrong side of his shorts that was noticed and pointed out by La Salle assistant coach Allan Caidic at the 8:43 mark of the third quarter and UP ahead, 32-28.