UAAP: La Salle notches first win at UP’s expense

Vice President Jejomar Binay cheers for his Alma Mater, UP, during its game with La Salle at the UAAP’s 74th Season of the men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum Saturday, July 23, 2011. Unfortunately for Binay, La Salle won. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines – La Salle flaunted its size as it towered over University of the
Philippines, 79-67, to notch its first win Saturday in UAAP Season 74 of the men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

With a slew of dependable bigs, the Green Archers dominated the paint and the rebounding department mightily with a 64-38 advantage.

“We involved our big guys today compared to our previous games,” said DLSU coach Dindo Pumaren, whose squad lost to FEU and fierce rival Ateneo.

“We just pounded the ball inside,” Pumaren added.

La Salle’s 26 rebounds were the biggest since Ateneo’s 30 ironically against UP as well back in July of 2007.

The Archers broke away from a precarious seven-point spread to post 20-point leads several times with the last at the 5:13 mark of the fourth period, 69-49.

“We played aggressive ball, I also noticed we’re sharing the ball as much as we did the last two games,” commended Pumaren.

Marksman Luigi de la Paz fired eight of his 14 points in a crucial stretch that halted a mini-run by UP.

De la Paz led La Salle with 14 points on top of seven rebounds and four assists.

Big men Arnold Van Opstal, Yutien Andrada and Norbert Torres provided the much-needed inside presence with a combined for 28 points and 22 boards for the Archers, who also shared the leather well with 25 assists.

Mike Silungan paced UP with 16 points.

La Salle and UP now share the same record at 1-2.