The Archers leaned on a resolute defensive stand when their offense sputtered in the fourth period and arranged another knockout match with men’s NCAA champion Centro Escolar University, a 68-50 winner over St. Francis of Assisi in the first game.
The Scorpions leaned on the trio of Chris Dumapig, Mark Parale and John Paul Magbitang in eliminating the two-time UCLAA champion Doves.
The La Salle-CEU showdown is set at 4 p.m. today with the winner advancing to the Sweet 16. National U and University of Manila clash for another Sweet 16 berth.
New La Salle coach Gee Abanilla watched from the sidelines as one of his assistants, Tyrone Bautista, called the shots for the Archers, who played catch-up in the first half, before Luigi Dela Paz found his range in the second half.
“We’re putting in a new system,” said Abanilla, who sat in the same row with Ginebra co-head coach Jong Uichico, a La Salle consultant, just behind the Archers bench. “I’m happy with the enthusiasm shown by the players.”
Dela Paz finished with 11 points, including a triple that gave the Archers a 51-48 lead with 6:05 remaining. Papot Paredes buried a long jumper to break a 51-all deadlock with three minutes left and the Archers rode behind their suffocating defense to shut out the Cardinals.
The Cardinals played without ace guard Allan Mangahas and Josan Nimes, who are currently tied up with ABL team San Miguel and PBA D-League squad Cobra Energy Drink, respectively.
But they showed plenty of fire behind Yousie Taha, Michael Parala and Jonathan Banal, whose triple capped a 7-0 blast that tied the game at 48.
“We are using the tournament to assess our weaknesses and our strengths,” said Abanilla, who replaced Dindo Pumaren.