UAAP: DLSU explodes late anew, trumps UE

(Updated 8:01pm) The De La Salle University Green Archers dominated the fourth quarter, finally creating separation between them and a determined UE Red Warriors squad, prevailing 67-59 for their second win in the 75th season of the UAAP, Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. "We're happy with the win," said La Salle head coach Gee Abanilla. "but it's still early [in the season] and we want to get better." Jeron Teng scored the next four for La Salle, the beginning of an 8-1 run that moved them past UE. JR Sumido scored in the lane to tie, but a layup by Thomas Torres edged the Archers ahead, 13-11, after the first period. In the second quarter, La Salle gambled by giving their bench players extended minutes in the period, but they couldn’t find an offensive rhythm and drew even with the Warriors as both teams scored five points apiece halfway through the period, 28-16. Sumang broke the Warriors' slump and drained back to back triples, pushing UE ahead, 22-20. But the Archers' starters checked back in to provide relief. Teng had four points in a 9-0 run to close the period, and DLSU took a 29-22 lead heading into the halftime break. The two sides exchanged runs to start the third, with UE opening with a 5-0 burst that forced coach Abanilla to call for time, barely two minutes gone by. La Salle countered by holding the Red Warriors without a field goal for the next five minutes, to pull away, 39-31 on a free throw by Teng. Off a timeout of their own, the Red Warriors poured out an 8-2 blast that got them within two points, 41-39 with 40 seconds left in the third, putting them in a position to  threaten through much of the rest of the way. An Adrian Santos transition score made it a one-point deficit for the Red Warriors, 51-50 with 6:28 left to play, but La Salle countered with 10 unanswered, boosting their advantage to 61-50 with 3:29 left, and UE couldn't muster enough offense for a final push. Despite an early 2-0 lead in the standings, Abanilla thinks his team is far from a finished product at this stage of the season, saying, "We experimented with different combinations on the floor and we're slowly figuring out what works with us." In fact, La Salle fielded its entire roster, and 10 players logged at least 10 minutes in the game. Rookie standout Jeron Teng led the Archers with 16 points and five rebounds. Point guard LA Revilla had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists, while reserve forward Jovet Mendoza also scored 11, and added four rebounds. Roi Sumang tallied a game-high 20 points and five rebounds on 7 for 16 shooting, but Adrian Santos was the only other Warrior in double digits with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Without Sumang, UE made only 14 of 45 shots for a paltry 31 percent. Once again, UE's opponents out-shot them, as DLSU converted 41 percent, or 26-of-64 of their shots, versus the Red Warriors' 35 percent shooting, or 21-for-61 from the field. Still, it was a better effort from the Red Warriors, making up somewhat for their blowout loss to NU on opening day by threatening until late. Still, the team is winless after two outings. - AMD, GMA News The scores: DLSU 67: Teng 16, Mendoza 11, Revilla 11, T Torres 7, Van Opstal 5, Vosotros 5, Dela Paz 3, Andrada 2, Tampus 2, Manguera 1, Paredes 0, Gotladera 0, Webb 0 UE 59: Sumang 20, Santos 14, Javier 6, Olayon 5, Galanza 5, Villarias 3, Sumido 2, Razon 2, Mena 3, Belleze 0, Valdez 0, Hernandez 0, Flores 0, Duncil 0 Quarter scores: 13-11, 29-22, 43-39, 67-59