There would be no late-game meltdown this time.
Just when everyone thought that they would appear headed for another disappointing finish, the De La Salle Green Archers showed enough poise towards the end to escape with a 70-67 win over Adamson today to end a 2-game skid.
Just like their last two setbacks, La Salle saw their huge lead evaporate towards the end. With the Archers up by 17 in the final period, the Falcons went on a 21-4 run to tie the count at 65-all with 1:20 left in the game.
Jeron Teng was then fouled and made two free throws to put La Salle up by two with 41 ticks remaining. Adamson turned the ball over in the ensuing play.
With La Salle set to inbound after a deflection call, Falcon Gian Abrigo was called for an unsportsmanlike during a deadball situation as he jostled with Norbert Torres.
The rules state that hat fouls committed during dead ball situations in the last two minutes of a game are automatically assessed as technical fouls.
Torres sank both free throws to give the Archers a 69-65 lead with 15.9 left. He split his next 2 attempts after a foul by the Falcons to stop the clock.
Abrigo then made 2 of his 3 attempts after being fouled taking a three with 1.1 seconds left for the final score.
Teng, who in the past few games struggled to find the mark from the foul line, was a perfect 4-of-4 on top of finishing the game with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Torres and Jason Perkins led the team with 13 points each. The team shot 18 of their 22 free throw attempts.
Perhaps its best start in a game this season, La Salle zoomed to a 16-4 lead early in the first period. The Archers dictated the tempo throughout the first half, erecting a 16-point lead in the second quarter. The Falcons then rallied to cut the lead to just 5.
The Green Archers then went on 9-1 run to close the half and lead by 12.
With the win, La Salle forced a 4-way tie for third place with Adamson, UE and NU.
The Archers end their first round assignment against the Bulldogs this Sunday.
Box Scores:
DLSU 70 – N Torres 13, Perkins 13, Teng 12, Vosotros 11, Van Opstal 10, Revilla 6, T Torres 3, Dela Paz 2, Tampus 0, Salem 0, Bolick 0
ADU 67 – Trollano 14, Cruz 13, Abrigo 10, Cabrera 9, Inigo 7, Brondial 6, Sewa 5, Agustin 2, Julkipli 1, Rios 0, Petilos 0, Monteclaro 0
Quarter scores: 18-7; 35-23; 55-42; 70-67