Archers survive Cobras, near Champs League title

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle roared to a mighty start then weathered a late, furious fightback by Southwestern U as it hammered out a vengeful 64-54 victory yesterday to move within a win from claiming the Philippine Collegiate Champions League crown at The Arena in San Juan City.

Jeron Teng, held to just seven points by the Cobras in their surprise 68-58 victory in the semis opener last week, torched their Cebu-based rivals with 18 points this time on an efficient seven-of-12 shooting and spiked his solid all-around effort with six rebounds and five assists.

“That was different, this is a championship game where everybody needs to step up really big,” said Teng, the reigning UAAP Finals MVP and Smart Player of the Year.

La Salle goes for the clincher in their best-of-three series today, also starting at 4 p.m. at the Arena. A deciding Game Three, if necessary, is set Thursday.

What made the victory impressive was that the Archers did it despite injuries to key players Arnold Van Opstal (hip), Almond Vosotros (ankle), Matthew Salem (back) and Kib Montalbo (elbow).

But Gab Reyes came off the bench to fire nine points, including two triples, while Robert Bollick started in place of Vosotros and made some key plays in the clutch.

Thomas Torres also shone with 15 points while snaring six rebounds and two steals and Norbert Torres dominated the paint and finished with a double-double effort of 10 points and 12 caroms.

While impressed with his wards’ fine start, La Salle coach Juno Sauler didn’t like the way they closed out the game. 

“I was disappointed with how we finished, good thing we had a big lead to cushion the fall,” he said.

The Archers likewise clamped down on the hot-shooting Cobras, who leaned on their outside sniping to steal a gem of a win last week.

“They beat us with their three-point shooting last time we played so we made sure it will not happen again,” said Sauler, whose Archers limited the Cobras to just two three-point conversions out of 19 after hitting six last week.