Suddenly becoming undermanned, the Green Archers were unable to contain a hot-shooting FEU squad down the stretch as they drop their opening match of the new UAAP season 61-68.
Rookie center Taane Samuel sustained a foot injury in the opening moments of the second quarter and did not return. He played just 5 minutes and finished with 2 points.
Leonard Santillan went to WORK in Q1! #UAAPSeason81 pic.twitter.com/Lb4ml5dPKR
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) September 9, 2018
La Salle still managed to hang tough, answering every scoring run by FEU as they entered the halftime break with a one point lead. The Green Archers started the third period strong but Tamaraws quickly recovered to tie the game entering the final quarter.
Both teams continued to go back and forth until the halfway mark with FEU’s Arvin Tolentino, Jasper Parker and Hubert Cani scored successive baskets to put the Tamaraws up for good.
Aljun Melecio got FEU's defense DAZED. #UAAPSeason81 pic.twitter.com/3OmkoeX7Vf
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) September 9, 2018
La Salle tried to mount a late comeback but committed a couple of costly turnovers in the final minute of the game.
Santi Santillan led the way for the Green Archers with 19 points followed by Aljun Melecio with 11.
La Salle will take on Adamson next Saturday.
Boxscores:
La Salle 61 – Santillan 19, Melecio 11, Caracut 9, Baltazar 8, Montalbo 5, Serrano 3, Bates 2, Samuel 2, Manuel 1, Dyke 1, Go 0, Corteza 0, Capacio 0.
FEU 68 – Tolentino 13, Tuffin 11, Inigo 10, Comboy 9, Stockton 9, Cani 7, Parker 5, Ebona 2, Escoto 2, Orizu 0.
Quarterscores: 11-14; 25-26; 48-48; 68-61
Final Score: FEU 68-61 DLSU#UAAPSeason81 #Stats pic.twitter.com/q1lEiYiI2M
— Pong Ducanes (@ompongski) September 9, 2018