JV Casio saved his best game for last as the De La Salle Green Archers beat the UE Red Warriors, 75-72 yesterday to advance to the Final Four stage of the 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championships at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The 5’10 guard, who is playing in his final year for the green and white squad scored 9 out of his 11 points in the payoff period including crucial foul shots down the stretch to seal the win. Peejay Barua led the team in scoring with 17 points while Rico Maierhofer and James Mangahas chipped in 12 and 11 points respectively.
The Archers, who were again without the services of guards Simon Atkins and LA Revilla pulled away early in the game while limiting the Warriors to just 9 points in the 1st quarter. The Recto based squad caught fire in the 2nd period as they outscored the Archers to tie the game at halftime. It was a nip-and-tuck battle throughout most of the second half until Casio and the other veterans took charge to arrange another possible title showdown with arch-rival Ateneo.
The Blue Eagles earlier defeated the Mapua Cardinals, 67-53 and will face either FEU or Letran in the semis. The Arches will go up next against the winner of the other round of eight match between NCAA champion San Beda and Arellano University.
Scores:
DLSU 75 – Barua 17, Maierhofer 12, Mangahas 11, Casio 11, Walsham 8, Malabes 7, Ferdinand 4, Bagatsing 3, Villanueva 2, Mendoza 0, Webb 0.
UE 72 – Martinez 21, Espiritu 15, Lee 10, Zamar 9, Llagas 8, Reyes 7, Etrone 2, Noble 0, Tagarda 0, Lingganay 0, Bandaying 0.
Quarter scores¨18-9, 38-38, 56-54, 75-72