Archers bring down Tams, tie Bulldogs at fourth spot

MANILA, Philippines -  La Salle dispatched Far Eastern, 63-56, to forge a tie for fourth with National U in the UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball tournament at the MOA Arena yesterday.

Almond Vosotros rifled in nine of his 21 points in the second half to lead the Green Archers to their eighth victory in 13 outings, tying the Bulldogs who earlier pulled off a scrambling 65-60 triumph over University of the Philippines.

DLSU’s win also dropped the Tams to a share of second with the UST TIgers at 9-4, effectively making the race for the last three slots in the Final Four a fight to the finish. Only defending champion Ateneo is so far guaranteed of a place in the semis, where they will enjoy No. 1 seeding.

“This game was so important because if we lost, we would have been eliminated already. So I gave it my all to help the team,” said Vosotros, who hit a huge banked triple and two freebies to quell FEU’s uprising and restore a 59-49 lead.

Jeron Teng added 10 markers and 10 rebounds while L.A. Revilla chipped in eight points as DLSU stayed in the hunt for the fourth and last semifinal berth.

“He (Revilla) struggled a bit with timing but he contributed really well, especially in crucial situations. He gave us stability and hit some crucial shots also,” said DLSU coach Gee Abanilla.

La Salle defeated an FEU crew that missed Arvie Bringas and Mark Belo, who served their suspensions yesterday.

“I think we’re lucky they (FEU) were not complete when we played them. Bringas and Belo are the guys who really contribute for them,” he said.

Abanilla said the defensive plan was focused on Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia, who still got away with 26 and 10, respectively. “Just the same, the other guys didn’t score that much so we’re happy that we pulled through in the game and we got a chance right now.”

Earlier, the Bulldogs squandered an 18-point lead but held on to survive the Maroons, 65-60, who wound up last for the fifth time in the last six years.

Bobby Ray Parks Jr. fired 17 points and issued four assists while Emmanuel Mbe added 13 markers, including seven in the payoff canto, to go with 14 rebounds, to tow NU to victory.

Alvin Padilla and Mike Silungan, two of eight Maroons graduating after his season, led the way with 14 and 11, respectively.

Meanwhile, UST formally placed its 66-68 second-round loss to Ateneo under protest yesterday.

“UST has filed a protest, contending about the non-call of a technical foul on Ateneo coach Norman Black and the goal-tending called against Karim Abdul. I will review the matter,” UAAP commissioner Ato Badolato told The STAR after receiving the letter of protest prepared by coach Pido Jarencio and endorsed by UAAP board member Gilda Kamuz.

Black rushed to the court to confront the referees after a non-call led to a UST steal and a Karim Abdul basket that gave the Tigers a 66-65 lead, 7.7 seconds left. UST claimed a T should be issued since the ADMU bench had been warned earlier for a similar action.

The goal-tending called on Abdul allowed Ateneo’s Ryan Buenafe to score the game-winning shot.