Photo by Tristan Tamayo
La Salle hardly broke a sweat in a 94-71 blowout over University of Perpetual Help in the 2017 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Green Archers imposed their will early, racing to a 27-13 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, extending the advantage to as high as 25, 70-45, on a Ramil Tero freebie with 3:04 to play in the third period.
Ben Mbala scattered 30 points and nine rebounds, a steal and a block in just three quarters, while Leonard Santillan got 10 markers, six boards, and a rejection in the win.
Tero also made the most of his playing time, scoring nine points in as many minutes off the bench, while Abu Tratter had eight markers and five rebounds for La Salle.
The Green Archers’ suffocating press was in full display anew, forcing the Altas to commit 43 turnovers that led to 37 easy points.
Still, coach Aldin Ayo said that La Salle still needs some work to do as it continues its buildup for the collegiate season.
“We played well, the ball was going around, but we still lack a lot. The confidence of our shooters, the bigs, still isn’t there. They still don’t know where to shoot,” he said, as the Green Archers shot 1-of-17 from threes. “We’re still a work in progress.”
Gab Dagangon paced Perpetual with 17 points and five rebounds, while Jack Hao got 11 points.
The scores:
LA SALLE 94 – Mbala 30, Santillan 10, Tero 9, Tratter 8, Caracut 7, Melecio 6, Montalbo 6, Baltazar 6, R. Rivero 4, Go 4, P. Rivero 2, Paraiso 2, Gonzales 0, Capacio 0.
PERPETUAL 71 – Dagangon 17, Hao 11, Pido 8, Yuhico 8, Eze 6, Ylagan 6, Coronel 4, Sadiwa 4, Singontiko 4, Clemente 3, Tamayo 0, Mangalino 0, Lucente 0, Casas 0.
Quarters: 27-13, 49-33, 76-56, 94-71