DLSU wins battle of the champions against San Beda, takes FilOil crown

(Updated 7:02pm) The De La Salle Green Archers showed no quit and pulled off an amazing comeback against the San Beda College Red Lions, winning 71-66 to cop the 2014 FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup title, Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

In a one-year span, DLSU has triumphed in the UAAP, PCCL and now, the FilOil preseason tourney, this one coming at the expense of the NCAA titlists.

The tournament championship is also De La Salle’s third in school history and their first since 2007, which was won at the expense of these same San Bed Red Lions.

“San Beda played very well today, they made it difficult for us in the first three quarters,” admitted DLSU coach Juno Sauler. “We were lucky in the end. They just missed their shots. It could have gone either way."

Added Almond Vostoros, "Sobrang happy, pero hindi pa kami satisfied kasi may UAAP pa."

"Noong UAAP nga hindi ako na-satisfy eh," Sauler said in response. When asked what in fact would saitisfy him, Sauler answered, "Secret."

San Beda drew first blood early in the first quarter with a 7-0 blitz capped by a three-pointer from tournament Mythical Team member Arthur De La Cruz, to give the Red Lions a 9-4 lead. Red Lion star guard Baser Amer ran the La Salle defense through constant pick and rolls, exposing the larger but slower La Salle big men on the move, and feeding Dela Cruz and David Semerad for easy layups. Amer capped the first quarter with a big three-pointer to give San Beda a seven-point lead, 20-13.

Newly-minted tournament Defensive Player and San Beda’s second Mythical Five member Ola Adeogun patrolled the paint for the Red Lions, giving the swarming San Beda defense a safety net to attack their opponents on the perimeter. Adeogun was particularly effective in one-on-one situations in the first half, as De La Salle’s vaunted front court of Arnold Van Opstal, Jason Perkins, Yutien Adrada and Norbert Torres combined for just three points in the first half.

La Salle did find success early by exploiting certain matchups afforded to tournament MVP Jeron Teng and Almond Vosotros. Vosotros used his size advantage and a high-arching turnaround jump shot to light up the shorter Ryusei Koga. Teng registered eight points and five rebounds by the break, but turned the ball over four times as the hyperactive Red Lion defense found constant deflections off quick perimeter rotations.

The first half alone featured four physical altercations; first, Arthur De La Cruz was whistled for an offensive foul for shoving off the defending Jason Perkins, then Perkins and David Semmerad were both given technical warnings for trash-talking before Perkins was whistled for a technical and was pulled from the game temporarily by De La Salle Coach Juno Sauler. Jeron Teng looked to be bothered by the lack of calls on the San Beda defense, retreating to the backcourt in protest, before splitting the free throws and getting called for a charge on the subsequent offensive possession.

Amer closed the first half on a high note for the Red Lions as his leaning finger roll over Andrada beat the buzzer to give San Beda a 41-32 lead.

Vostros opened the second half by scoring the first three field goals for the Green Archers, a turnaround jumper cutting the lead to five, 45-40 early in the period. However, a 9-2 run by the Red Lions rebuilt a comfortable 54-42 lead. Van Opstal was whistled for his fourth foul with 1:38 remaining in the quarter, fouling Amer who sank his free throws to give San Beda a 10-point cushion.

Perkins hit a jump shot from the baseline though, to cut the lead to eight, 56-48 heading into the final quarter.

The Green Archers blitzed the San Beda with a 10-0 run right from the start of the fourth quarter, as Thomas Torres’ triple at the 7:42 mark gave La Salle their first lead since the opening quarter, 58-56. Amer though answered with a three-pointer of his own to retake the lead.

Adeogun scored in the paint, but Perkins hit a three-pointer to tie the game 61-all.

Amer hit another three-pointer to break the deadlock with 4:50 remaining, but Van Opstal finally got his offense going scoring, on consecutive possessions to give DLSU the lead.

Still at it, Amer hit a leaning bank shot to give San Beda their final lead, 66-65, but Perkins scored his 13th and 14th points at the 2:01 mark.

After the teams traded turnovers, the Red Lions were forced to foul Vosotros with 10.1 seconds remaining, and the fifth-year guard calmly sank his free throws to push the La Salle lead to three.

Thomas Torres then tipped the inbounds pass out of a San Beda timeout to give possession to La Salle and Vosotros was sent to the line for the final points of the game.

Vosotros received Player of the Game honors after registering 18 markers, three boards, two dimes, and two steals. Jeron Teng posted 14 points and eight rebounds, while Perkins pitched in with 14 markers as well and seven boards.

Teng was also named tournament MVP.

Amer logged 23 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in a losing cause, while Arthur Dela Cruz had a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, on top of four assists. The NCAA titlists managed only 25 points in the second half.

Looking ahead, Sauler felt that there was still work to be done ahead of the UAAP tourney. "San Beda played good in the first three quarters. It's something that we have to take care of. We gave up easy baskets, a total of 19 fast break and second chance [points]."  - AMD, GMA News



The scores:

La Salle 71 – Vosotros 18, Teng 14, Perkins 14, Van Opstal 9, T. Torres 6, Salem 4, Montalbo 3, Andrada 2, N. Torres 1, Sargent 0, Tratter 0, Mustre 0

San Beda 66 – Amer 23, Dela Cruz 14, A. Semerad 9, Adeogun 8, K. Pascual 6, Koga 4, D. Semerad 2, Ludovice 0, Solera 0, Mocon 0, Mendoza 0, Bonsubre 0

Quarter scoring: 13-20, 32-41, 48-56, 71-66