Archers cruise past Tams, extend series

MANILA, Philippines – Backed into a corner, defending champion La Salle fought back fiercely and routed nemesis Far Eastern, 94-73, to force a rubbermatch for a finals seat in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tourney Saturday at the MOA Arena.

Their title and season on the line, Green Archers charged out of the gates with guns ablaze to seize an early double-digit spread, never relenting the rest of the way to post the crucial win, their first against the No. 2 Tams in four meetings this season.

 “We weren’t thinking about that (do or die situation). We were just grateful for the opportunity to play and I just told the boys to make the most out of the situation we’re in. So whether we win or we lose, we just wanted to play our best, given this opportunity,” said DLSU coach Juno Sauler.

The two will clash again on Wednesday to dispute the finals berth.  It will a double KO on that day as top seed Ateneo and No. 4 National U will also contest a championship berth.

Jeron Teng, now fully recovered from his bout with mild dengue, fired 25 points, including 18 in the second half where the Archers extended their margin to a high of 25 markers. He made up for his meager eight-point, seven-error showing in DLSU’s 60-65 setback to FEU in the playoff for No. 2 last week.

“I really had to bounce back (from the previous game) and we wanted to win this one for the seniors (Almond Vosotors, Yutien Andrada and Norbert Torres); it’s too early for them to end their UAAP careers, we want them to play more games,” said Teng, who shot 9-for-19 and had seven rebounds and three assists.

The Archers used the three-point area as weapon against the Tams, making eight of their 20 attempts (40 percent) led by Almond Vosotros and Julian Sargent who knocked in three triples apiece.”

“I felt that (three-point shot) was what FEU was giving up; they were clogging the paint too much and I told them to make the read, if they were open for trey and capable of making it, just go ahead and take it,” said Sauler.

Mac Belo sizzled with a career high 32 – the most in the Final Four since Adamson’s Ken Bono struck with 33 in a 73-76 loss to Ateneo back in 2006 – but he was the lone bright spot in FEU’s game. Mike Tolomia and Jason David had seven apiece.

“If it weren’t for Mac we would have lost by 50 perhaps,” said FEU coach Nash Racela.

The Tams mentor couldn’t hide his disappointment on the fouls called on his wards that resulted in 22 free throws in the third.

“We’ll have a chance if they (referees) allow us to defend. It’s hard because they’re (DLSU) bigger than us, stronger than us. But they played well,” said Racela.