La Salle bags sixth straight win, fends off Lyceum

La Salle’s Ben Mbala. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

De La Salle University stretched its winning streak to six and remained undefeated in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup after turning back Lyceum, 87-78, Thursday at San Juan Arena.

Jeron Teng put up 20 points to lead the Green Archers while Ben Mbala added a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double effort.

Lyceum tried to comeback from a 24-point deficit, 70-46, at the end of the third quarter as the Pirates outscored the Green Archers 32-17 in the final 10 minutes but La Salle’s margin was too big to overcome.

Green Archers head coach Aldin Ayo primarily used his bench in the fourth to preserve his starters from his fast-paced full-court pressure system.

“All 15 of them can really play, and gusto ko ma develop yung kumpyansa nila,” said Ayo. “I want them to get used to playing.”

“This is a preseason game, I want my players to play well with the system we have. It’s very demanding, gusto ko mahaba rotation ko.”

Ayo used 12 of his 15 players, resting Larry Muyang, Mark Dyke, and Andrew Langston.

Harry Nzeeusseu led the Pirates, which dropped to 1-6, with 21 points and 17 rebounds.