Archers rally to slay Lions, take home Filoil crown

MANILA, Philippines – La Salle went to Jason Perkins and Almond Vosotros in the fourth quarter as it eked out a come-from-behind 71-66 victory over San Beda to book its third title in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan City Sunday.

Perkins poured in nine of his 14 points in the final canto while Vosotros scored six of his team-high 18 in the same period, including the Archers' last four points from the foul line, to emerge the most titled in the nine-year history of this league.

"San Beda played very well today. It was very difficult for us especially in the first three quarters, we're lucky in the end, they missed shots while we scored," said La Salle coach Juno Sauler.

Asked if he felt satisfaction in this recent feat, Sauler said "Hindi nga ako na-satisfy sa UAAP eh (I wasn't satisfied with the UAAP title)."

Jeron Teng, who had 14 points, was later named the MVP of the tournament after carrying the Taft-based cagers this far.

The Archers erased a 56-48 deficit entering the fourth quarter but they turned things around by playing more aggressive.

Arnold Van Opstal scored twice on post-up plays against San Beda's Nigerian import Ola Adeogun to give La Salle its first taste of the lead, 65-64, with a little over three minutes remaining.

A play later, Baser Amer answered by hitting a floater as San Beda regained the lead, 66-65, which turned out its last as Perkins connected on a reverse and Vosotros draining four clutch free throws that sealed the deal.

La Salle's title triumph was its third since winning in the league's first two seasons in 2006 and 2007. It made the finals two years ago but lost to National U.

It was also the Archers’ third straight tournament win after emerging victorious in the UAAP and the PCCL last year.

For San Beda, it blew its chance of capturing its first ever Filoil crown, losing its fourth championship, including painful defeats to La Salle in 2007, University of the East the next year and Ateneo in 2011.

The Lions dictated the tempo early, seizing a 41-32 lead at the break with the troika of Baser Amer, Arthur dela Cruz and Anthony Semerad doing most of the damages with 11, 10 and nine points in the period.

Earlier, Centro-Escolar U whipped up a third quarter storm as it routed Cebu's Southwestern U, 73-58, to clinch third place.

Trailing 28-33 in the first half, the Scorpions, the NAASCU champions, went on a 26-11 rampage in the third period to break loose.

Meanwhile, the league named San Beda's Ola Adeogun and Arthur dela Cruz, CEU's Rodriguez Ebondo, SWU's Landro Sanjo and La Salle's Jeron Teng.

The scores:

CEU 73 – De Leon 22, Abundo 19, Ebondo 8, Jeruta 7, Sedurifa 6, Batino 6, Opiso 3, Casino 2, Mutonbo 0, Amil 0, Banua 0

SWU 58 – Sanjo 17, Mohammed 16, Tallo 11, Goloran 6, Pardo 3, Bregondo 2, Luz 2, Parker 1, Aboude 0, Racho 0

Quarterscores: 16-18; 28-33; 54-44; 73-58

Second Game

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

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

Quarterscores: 13-20; 32-41; 48-56; 71-66