UAAP: Archers shoot down Red Warriors in Zamar's return

The De La Salle Green Archers spoiled the return of Boysie Zamar to the UE bench by exploding for a 73-52 win, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, in the 75th season of the UAAP. Zamar, who coached the likes of Paul Artadi and James Yap, had been tapped to replace Jerry Codinera, who was given the new role of Sports Consultant of UE, earlier in the week. After three quarters, UE was down one, 41-50, until La Salle cornered them and unleashed a salvo that reaped them a 21-11 scoring edge in the fourth quarter. The Archers opened with an 11-4 run, which included an emphatic slam from big man Arnold Van Opstal. With multiple scoring options, De La Salle emptied its quiver in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter.   The Red Warriors played in character, looking lost after La Salle's defense contained prime Warrior Roi Sumang. Sumang and his comrades managed just 27% from the field. Sumang and the Warriors flexed their muscle early on, going basket for basket, which prompted Coach Gee Abanilla to call for time after an easy hook from the strapping Chris Javier. All but four of UE’s 16 points were scored from the perimeter, with firebrand Sumang blazing the way for UE with seven early points. La Salle kept the lead respectable at 16-15 after beanpole Arnold Van Opstal perfected a three-point play before heading to the second.   La Salle buffeted the ball inside, racking up their first three baskets off tricky plays in the paint that needed some bumping on the Green Archers’ end. By then, La Salle’s willy-nilly offense had come to life, generating six quick points for scoring dynamo Jeron Teng.   UE had a bad case of butterfingers in the second half, generating most of their nine early turnovers before the second quarter came to a close. The squad from Recto managed only a timid six points after their 18-point first quarter performance, with their Taft counterparts getting the better end of the stick with regard to fouls, as evidenced by their 9/12 first half showing at the stripe. UE was outrebounded 22-32 and made none of their two attempts at the free throw line.   Conversely, the Green Archers looked like a well-oiled machine in the second half, unleashing 21 points each on the latter quarters of the game. The lead allowed La Salle’s younger members, Thomas Torres and Gabby Reyes, to gather some experience. The shorter Torres finished with four points and an unusual 10 rebounds, while Reyes notched two points off a jumper.   “All our games were really close and we’ve been talking about it and it gave us a chance to experiment on something else. I’m happy Gabby Reyes got to play. We’re just waiting for the proper time for him to shine”, said Coach Abanilla   Teng switched to a higher gear in the third quarter, scoring seven straight points for La Salle and pitting 13 points between them and the floppy Red Warriors, whose interior defense had no body to throw at the thickset rookie from Xavier School.   San Beda alum Gene Belleza matched Teng’s run with a little run of his own, spraying seven of his own as Coach Abanilla called to regroup. La Salle’s defense responded well, shutting down both Belleza and Sumang.   The game marked a notable performance from Van Opstal, who has disappointed so far in his first two years. Dubbed as the game changer for today’s bout, Van Opstal finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. Van Opstal and Norbert Torres turned into a lethal twin tower combo that combined for 22 points and 19 rebounds.   “I’ve been trying my rhythm. It was so good to win because last year we lost against UE”, said Van Opstal. “It’s a breakout game for him and hopefully it continues. Yung high side ni Arnold masyadong malaki. He doesn’t realize his potential. Slowly but surely, we’ll make him reach his potential”, said Coach Abanilla of his 6’9” Fil-Dutch pole.   The Green Archers were without Revilla, who is still recovering from a severe ankle injury, and forward Yutien Andrada, who is listed as day-to-day. Andrada wrecked his ankle after stepping on another player’s foot yesterday.   The De La Salle Green Archers heavily outrebounded the Red Warriors, 66-40, despite having more turnovers than UE, 23 to 15. UE struggled in shooting the ball, making only 21 out of 78 attempts, compared to DLSU, who made 28 of 73 attempts while hitting 15 of 23 from the stripe.   Teng led all scorers for De La Salle, notching  16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, followed by Van Opstal with 12 and Norberto Torres with 10. UE’s backcourt starters were the only ones in double digits for UE, as Sumang and Belleza scored 17 and 16, respectively. - AMD/RAF, GMA News   The scores: DLSU – Teng 16, Van Opstal 12, Torres 10, Vosotros 8, Mendoza 8, Webb 7, T. Torres 4, Manguera 4, Reyes 2, Paredes 2, Dela Paz 0, Tallo 0 UE – Sumang 17, Belleza 16, Javier 8, Flores 5, Aberto 2, Santos 2, Hernandez 2, Sumido 0, Villarias 0, Galanza 0, Duran 0, Duncil 0 Quarter scoring: 15-16, 31-24, 50-41, 73-52