Photo by August dela Cruz
MANILA, Philippines—Joshua Webb sustained his strong play as La Salle upset University of Santo Tomas, 72-67, Monday in the stepladder Sweet 16 round of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Webb, who topscored for La Salle with 15 points in his last outing, took charge anew by drilling half of his 16 points in a pivotal run that gave the Archers their first double-digit lead, 64-54, in the second half.
“What we’re trying to do is maximize the strength of the team,” said new La Salle coach Gee Abanilla after ousting the Tigers, a semifinalist in the last UAAP wars.
John Lopez and Nate Matute delivered in the clutch as Jose Rizal University ended National University’s run with a 66-62 decision in the first of the knockout doubleheader.
Lopez drained six of his 10 points in the final quarter, including two buffer free throws with just 1.2 seconds left.
La Salle takes on NCAA powerhouse Letran next at 3:30 p.m. today after JRU tangles with Adamson, another UAAP semifinalist, at 1:30 also in San Juan.
Almond Vosotros had 13 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Luigi dela Paz added 12 markers for the Archers. Joseph Marata also found his shooting touch, firing all but one of his 10 points from three-point range.
“I’ve seen a lot of improvement and I just hope we’ll continue on improving,” said Abanilla. “We’ve got a long way to go since right now we’re just starting. But we’re happy about it. The boys are really aggressive.”
John Villarias and Jeckster Apinan delivered similar outputs of eight points and nine rebounds for the Bombers.
“We had lapses in defense,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses. “NU is a quick and disciplined team, [but eventually] we were were able to contain their fastbreaks.”
The scores:
First Game
JRU 66—Lopez 10, Villarias 8, Apinan 8, Montemayor 7, Monserat 7, Matute 7, Kabigting 7, Almario 6, Carampil 4, Paniamogan 2, Mendoza 0.
NATIONAL U 62—Mbe 13, Javillonar 12, Villamor 8, Labing-isa 8, Roño 5, Singh 4, Alolino 4, Neypes 3, Khobuntin 3, Celda 2.
Quarters: 14-11, 32-26, 51-45, 66-62
Second Game
LA SALLE 72—Webb 16, Vosotros 13, Dela Paz 12, Marata 10, Revilla 8, Torres 7, Tampus 2, Paredes 2, Mendoza 2, Gotladera 0, Sara 0.
UST 67—Ferrer 23, Vigil 9, Lo 9, Sheriff 6, Afuang 6, Abdul 5, Camus 5, Javier 2, Pe 2, Tan 0, Lao 0, Umaria 0.
Quarters: 18-13, 40-39, 64-54, 72-67.