La Salle succumbs in second half to UST, falls to 3-3

The De La Salle University Green Archers blew a double-digit first half lead and suffered their third defeat in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament to the UST Growling Tigers, 77-61, on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After leading 33-19 in the second quarter, La Salle allowed their opponents to go on a 28-5 run that eventually led to their defeat.

The Green Archers shot just 33% from the field and 22% from downtown, while allowing the Growling Tigers to make 42% of their shots and 46% of their three-pointers.

Jeron Teng led La Salle with 13 points but threw away six turnovers. Josh Torralba played well, finished with 12 points. Prince Rivero registered 10.

Thomas Torres put up 8 points but shot just 2-of-10 from the field. Andrei Caracut also misfired most of the game, scoring just 5 points on 1-of-12 shooting.

Jason Perkins struggled again, scoring just 5 points.

UST was led by the 17 points of Kevin Ferrer.

La Salle once again struggled from the free throw line, going just 13-of-29. Their turnovers were less than the 30 they committed against UE, but still finished with 15.

DLSU will be back in uniform against ADMU on Sunday.

Box scores:

UST 77 – Ferrer 17, Abdul 13, Daquioag 11, Vigil 10, Suarez 9, Lee 7, Bonleon 6, Sheriff 4, Abdurasad 0, Arana 0, Faundo 0, Garrido 0, Huang 0, Lao 0, Subido 0.

La Salle 61 – Teng 13, Torralba 12, Rivero 10, Torres 8, Caracut 5, Perkins 5, Sargent 4, Muyang 2, Navarro 2, Tratter 0.

Quarterscores: 12-18; 31-33; 60-46; 77-61.

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