Thomas Torres of La Salle and Roi Sumang of UE battle for the ball , photo by August dela Cruz
MANILA, Philippines—Jeron Teng led a balanced De La Salle attack overwhelming University of the East, 73-52, Saturday in the UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Teng, who plays more like a veteran than a rookie, finished with 16 points, in an array of moves, and added 10 points and three blocks.
“It was a good win for us. I think we really need this win. We can’t afford to fall behind in the standings,” said DLSU head coach Gee Abanilla, whose team tied National University anew with a 5-3 slate.
The Green Archers played sans two of their key guys in point guard LA Revilla and lanky center Yutien Andrada with both recuperating from severe ankle sprain.
Andrada in fact, sprained his right ankle Saturday in practice, Abanilla said.
“I’m happy that we have a lot of guys who responded. They filled in when they’re needed,” said Abanilla.
Stepping up were playmaker Thomas Torres and burly big man Arnold Van Opstal.
Torres had four points, 10 rebounds and five assists while the six-foot-nine Van Opstal had 12 points and eight rebounds.
La Salle seemed just like waiting for the moment when to blow UE out rather than having trouble.
The Red Warriors, who welcomed David “Boyzie” Zamar back as their head coach, stayed within reach until the final period, where it appeared to have lost their steam.
Gene Belleza, who has been a revelation for UE, went on a personal 7-0 run that pulled his team to within six, 37-43, 3:44 in the third period-stopping La Salle’s attempt to pull away for good.
The Green Archers though, just had too many weapons for the Red Warriors to handle. La Salle tightened up on defense in the last quarter.
Norbert Torres accounted to La Salle’s six straight points at one stretch in the fourth, which made it a 67-47 game, with 4:41 left. Torres had 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Roi Sumang paced UE, which dropped to 1-7, with 17 points and seven rebounds.