Archers edge Altas; Falcons still on fire

LA SALLE got its campaign off to a thrilling start even as Adamson  kept its own Sweet 16 bid going in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League yesterday at First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (Faith) gym in Tanauan, Batangas.

Jeron Teng struck twice in the final minute as the Green Archers rallied past Perpetual Help, 75-72, in the nationwide tournament’s stepladder, knockout phase.

Teng, the UAAP Rookie of the Year, shot 10 of his 19 points in the fourth period to lead the Archers’ comeback from as many as 12 points down, 16-28, in the first half.

The Falcons had an easier time, opening with a 21-point blitz before coasting to a 102-57 blowout victory over La Finns Scholastica in the first game.

Jericho Cruz fired 19 points to pace the Falcons, who stayed unbeaten despite playing their fifth game in as many days, which included a 3-0 sweep of the Metro Manila qualifiers.

Almond Vosotros sparked the Archers’ run in the second half, while Norbert Torres also came through with key baskets, the last giving the Archers a 70-68 lead.

The Altas had a chance to tie the game twice in the closing seconds but Nic Omorogbe missed two foul shots and Earl Thompson issued an errant inbound pass.

La Union’s LFS Lion Hearts, the North-Central Luzon leg champions, bowed out a day after clipping University of Batangas, 89-86, in the Sweet 16 opener.

The Lion Hearts proved no match for the Falcons, who zoomed to a 33-8 first-quarter advantage that grew to 40 points, 81-41, early in the second half.

Action heads to Cebu City next week where teams from the Southern provinces kick off their Sweet 16 bids.