The Green Archers played like the title contenders they are supposed to be.
Jeron Teng and rookie Jason Perkins each scored 20 points and the De La Salle Green Archers notch their first win in UAAP Season 76, defeating the UP Fighting Maroons 96-84 today.
Teng also finished the game with 4 assists and 2 steals while Perkins had 13 rebounds for La Salle, who bounced back from an opening day loss to UST to improve their card to 1-1. UP drops to 0-2.
After trailing 0-2 to start the game, the Green Archers went on a 14-0 blast to pull away early. The Maroons were able to narrow the gap to within 5, 24-19 at the end of the period.
Henry Asilum and former Green Archer Joseph Marata led the perimeter assault for UP as they trimmed down La Salle’s double-digit lead to tie the count at 44-all. The Archers countered with back-to-back baskets to lead 48-44 at the half.
La Salle built an 11-point lead in the third but the Maroons kept to within striking distance with timely hits from the outside.
UP managed to claw its way back in the early part of the final period to reduce La Salle’s lead to 4, 78-74. The Green Archers then went on a scoring run of its own to again lead by double-figures 88-77 at the halfway mark.
Perkins scored all of La Salle’s final 8 points and thwarted the Maroon’s last ditch effort to comeback in the game.
Almond Vosotros scored 15 points while Norbert and Thomas Torres scored 14 points apiece. Thomas also had 9 assists while Norbert grabbed 17 boards.
Marata topscored for the Maroons with 21 followed by rookie Kyles Lao and Asilum with 18 and 12 respectively. UP entered this game without guard Mikee Reyes, who has reportedly left the team.
It was a high-scoring affair as La Salle shot 58% (7-12) from beyond the arc while UP made 14 of 18 trifectas.
The Green Archers also shot 47.5% from the field and had 24 fastbreak points.
Box Scores:
DLSU 96 – Teng 20, Pekins 20, Vosotros 15, N. Torres 14, T. Torres 14, De La Paz 7, Van Opstal 6, Bolick 0
UP 84 – Marata 21, Lao 18, Asilum 12, Suarez 9, Ball 6, Soyud 5, Pascual 3, Ligad 3, Gallarza 3, Desiderio 2, Wong 0, Amar 0
Quarterscores: 24-19, 48-44, 75-67, 96-84