The DLSU Green Archers blew a 20-point lead against the University of Perpetual Help Altas and wound up losing the contest, 98-95, to finish with a 4-2 FilOil Premier Cup elimination round campaign on Saturday, May 31, at the San Juan Arena.
La Salle, which went on top 44-24 at one point in the second quarter, got 20 points apiece from Jeron Teng and Arnold Van Opstal, and 18 from Almond Vostros. However, the team gave up 41 points to UPHSD in the fourth period, while letting Juneric Baloria score a total of 43 markers for the game.
The Green Archers shot 39% from the field but made only five out of their 23 attempts from long-range. They did, however, outrebound the Altas, 57-43.
Entering the final quarter, La Salle was up by 16, 73-57. The team managed to hold onto their lead until the halfway mark of the deciding period, but a quick 8-0 run by Perpetual cut DLSU’s advantage down to two.
The Green Archers would eventually lose the lead to their opponents after Bolomia sinked in a pair of free throws. On the next play, a 3-ball by Vosotros gave his squad a two-point edge, but the Altas regained the lead thanks to five straight points from Harold Arboleda.
Van Opstal and Teng proceeded to miss a number of free throws in the next possessions, and UPHSD managed to escape with a three-point victory.
Rookie Julian Sargent had a good showing, putting up nin points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes. Norbert Torres also had a good overall game, collecting eight markers and 13 boards.
La Salle is now tied with Perpetual at 4-2 in the standings of Group A, where No. 1 SWU (5-1) and No. 2 JRU (4-2, tiebreakers over DLSU and UPHSD) have earned quarterfinal positions. Thanks to the quotient system, though, the Green Archers will win their tiebreaker over the Altas and get one of the two wildcard entries.
La Salle is back in action on June 4, Wednesday, when they take on the unbeaten FEU Tamaraws in the quarterfinal round.
Scores:
UPHSD: Baloria 43, Dagangon 15, Thompson 14, Arboleda 12, Oliveria 6, Allano 5, Ylagan 2, Dizon 1, Bantayan 0, Gallardo 0, Sadiwa 0, Cabiltes 0, Jolangcob 0, Elorpe 0
DLSU: Teng 20, Van Opstal 20, Vosotros 16, Sargent 9, Montalbo 8, Torres N 8, Torres T 4, Perkins 3, Tratter 3, Rivero 2, Salem 2, Andrada 0, Bolick 0
Quarter Scores: 21-28, 41-50, 57-73, 98-95