Archers surprise Eagles; Bulldogs crush Warriors

The young De La Salle team expected to struggle early just turned into a serious threat yesterday.

The Green Archers rallied from nine points down in the last three minutes to shock the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles, 66-63, in the first meeting between the country’s fiercest rivals in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Sophomore Sam Marata came up with the game’s biggest baskets, knocking down back-to-back triples that helped wipe out a 53-62 deficit and push the Archers ahead to stay at 65-62 with 1:26 left.

Jarelan Tampus also proved steady in the homestretch as the rookie guard earlier nailed four straight points that triggered a decisive La Salle 13-1 run in the last 3:35 of the game.

“I don’t know what to say, I’m so proud of the boys,” said coach Dindo Pumaren as the Archers finally beat the Eagles for the first time in three years. “I just told them not to give up and play defense.”

Joshua Webb and Marata finished with 12 points apiece to lead the Archers to solo second at 3-1 in front of another roaring, sellout crowd of 16,566.

“We did not finish strong and it did not help also that Kirk Long fouled out,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black. “They’re (Archers) scrappy. They made the shots down the stretch.”

The Eagles, seeking a third straight title this season, fell to 2-2 along with National University as the Bulldogs earlier withstood the University of the East Warriors’ late run on the way to a 70-63 victory.

It was the Bulldogs’ first victory over the Warriors in eight years. NU has dropped its previous 14 meetings with UE by an average of 11.6 points.

The Warriors, last year’s losing finalists, skidded to their fourth straight loss.

Rookie Glenn Khobuntin, who suited up for both Letran high school’s basketball and athletics teams, came off the bench to fire 10 of his 13 points in the first half which the Bulldogs took at 42-27.

Melvin Baloran added 11 points, including three of the Bulldogs’ seven free throws in the final minute after the Warriors came to within four, 61-57.

The Eagles nailed their first eight shots in the fourth quarter for that 62-53 lead, before missing their last seven attempts in the final three minutes.

“It wasn’t so much the offense that let us down, but the defense,” noted Black.

The scores:

First Game

NU 70— Khobuntin 13, Baloran 11, Mbe 10, Hermosisima 8, Ponferrada 7, Terso 6, Singh 5, Javillonar 3, Malanday 3, Ludovice 2, Magat 2, Tungcul 0.

UE 63—Martinez 18, Lee 18, Reyes 9, Acibar 7, Duran 5, Zamar 4, Ayala 2, Santos 0, Rosopa 0, Razon 0, Enguio 0, Casajeros 0, Sumido 0, Noble 0.

Quarters: 23-9, 42-27, 56-47, 70-63

Second Game

LA SALLE 66—Webb 12, Marata 12, Atkins 9, Tampus 6, Andrada 6, Dela Paz 5, Tolentino 5, Mendoza 5, Vosotros 3, Villanueva 2, Ferdinand 1, Paredes 0.

ATENEO 63—Chua 16, Monfort 11, Long 9, Buenafe 7, Salamat 6, Salva 5, Golla 3, Escueta 2, Dela Cruz 2, Austria 2, Tiongson 0, Gonzaga 0.

Quarters: 14-15, 26-30, 46-42, 66-63