In what may be considered as a tune-up to the actual championship match, La Salle proved to be steadier team down the stretch as they escape past Lyceum 98-95 yesterday afternoon in the Araw ng Davao basketball tournament.
After a nip-and-tuck first half, the Green Archers pulled away in the third to lead by double figures. LPU however went on a 9-2 run midway in the final period to tie the game at 87-all.
A triple by Donn Lim broke the deadlock but the Pirates once again answered to even the score again heading into the final two minutes. Timely baskets by Mark Dyke and Gabe Capacio gave La Salle enough cushion to secure the win.
Encho Serrano once again led La Salle with 13 while Justin Baltazar and Andrei Caracut each added 11.
For being the top two teams after the preliminary round, the Green Archers (3-0) shall once again battle the Pirates (2-1) later this evening for the title in this four-team tournament.