The De La Salle Green Archers pulled off a close 56-51 win over the Mapua Cardinals today in the Metro Manila Qualifiers of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League.
Both squads were severely depleted in this match with the Archers only having 11 players in its active roster. In addition to Simon Atkins, Maui Villanueva and Yutien Andrada, not around were Joseph Marata (PBA-D-league) and Arnold Van Opstal (injured). Only 9 players suited up for the Cardinals, who were without top playmaker Allan Mangahas and NCAA ROY Josan Nimes.
The game was relatively close, with Mapua leading at halftime 28-23. The Archers then caught fire to start the second half as Almond Vostoros led the attack to seize control of the game and take a 44-41 lead at the end of 3.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair in the early goings of the final quarter, but in the end it was the Archers’ defense that proved to be the big difference in this match. Mapua was held scoreless in the last 4 minutes after tying the score at 51. Papot Paredes’ layup at the 3-minute mark broke the deadlock while Vosotros and LA Revilla sealed the win in the final 20 seconds with their foul shots.
This game marks the debut of the team’s new coaching staff led by Gee Abanilla. The Archers’ new head coach though decided to take a backseat in this tournament to better assess the team as he delegated the coaching duties to Tyrone Bautista.
The Green Archers will next face MNCAA Champion CEU tomorrow, 4PM for the right to grab one of the two remaining Metro Manila slots in the Sweet 16. The Scorpions defeated the St. Francis of Assisi College Doves 68-50 earlier.
BoxScores
DLSU 56 – Dela Paz 11, Vosotros 10, Webb 10, Paredes 8, Revilla 7, Torres 6, Mendoza 2, Tampus 2, Sara 0, Gotladera 0, Reyes 0
MIT 51 – Taha 18, Parala 10, Banal 8, Ighalo 6, Stevens 3, Chien 3, Cantos 2, Magsigay 1
Quarterscores: 11-15;23-28;44-41;56-51