La Salle’s Schonny Winston vs FEU. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–La Salle was left dumbstruck when last season’s victory-deprived team managed to put the Green Archers on the ropes and eventually brought them down.
The Archers knew better this time, extra cautious of another possible upset against a winless squad before downing the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 87-70, on Saturday in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
“That UE loss was a big lesson for us and as I’ve said we cannot take things lightly,’’ said La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren after that defeat against his former team Red Warriors pricked their egos and wounded their pride following a triumphant outing against arch nemesis Ateneo last week.
Taking care of business throughout, the Archers scorched the hoops without letup in the first half, building a 25-point spread anchored on Schonny Winston, Kevin Quiambao and Joaquin Manuel.
The Archers just coasted from thereon, successfully deflecting the hard-charging Tamaraws in the closing minutes for their third win in five games.
“We have to be prepared and be ready against any team. We’ll take it one game at a time, quarter by quarter, if that’s what we need to do,’’ said Pumaren.
The Tamaraws, who leaned on playmaker LJ Gonzales together with Bryan Sajonia and Patrick Sleat, were badly beaten off the boards, with La Salle pulling down 57 rebounds, 24 of them on the offensive end, while FEU just collared 36.
“Against UE, we gave them a lot of second-chance points. Today, we made sure to secure those rebounds,’’ said Pumaren.
With their fifth straight defeat, the winless Tamaraws are off to their most inferior start since the Final Four has been established.
The Scores
LA SALLE 87 — Winston 23, Quiambao 16, Manuel 14, Nelle 8, Austria 7, Nwankwo 6, Estacio 5, Cortez 4, B. Phillips 2, Abadam 2.
FEU 70 — Gonzales 16, Sajonia 15, Sleat 12, Torres 10, Bagunu 8, Tchuente 3, Tempra 2, Ona 2, Anonuevo 1, Celzo 1, Alforque 0, Sandagon 0.
Quarters: 18-10, 50-25, 74-49, 87-70.