The De La Salle Green Archers pulled off an upset of sorts as they defeated reigning NCAA Champions San Beda, 50-46, to barge into the finals of the 2012 FilOil Flying V Preseason. The victory over the title favorite Red Lions was payback for a loss to the same team in the first game of the tournament for the Green Archers.
The Green Archers led for most of the game, as they fought fancied SBC on even terms in almost all aspects of the game, while winning the crucial rebounding battle, 41-38. The Archer defense also successfully clogged the middle and blocked 5 shots, forcing San Beda outside where they missed most of their shots.
Center Norbert Torres continued his excellent form, pouring in a game high 12 points with 2 blocks and 10 rebounds. Guards LA Revilla and Almond Vosotros backed up Torres with 9 and 7 points, respectively. As expected, San Beda paid rookie Jeron Teng the compliment of double teaming him whenever he touched the ball, limiting him to only 5 points but allowing the other Archers some space to create shots.
On the other side, San Beda’s Jake Pascual and Baser Amer scored 10 points apiece, as the aggressive Archer defense appeared to take San Beda’s scorers by surprise.
Play was spotty, and turnovers were aplenty in this game with La Salle committing 19 turnovers throughout the game while San Beda committed 17.
The Green Archers dominated the first quarter after San Beda opened up scoring with a trey. Jed Manguera keyed La Salle’s offense with a quick three-point shot to start a 12-point run and grab the lead which they never relinquished.
By the second quarter, the Archer defense had asserted itself with Norbert Torres contributing two blocks while Yutien Andrada, Jed Manguera and Papot Paredes contributing a block apiece. La Salle took an 8-point lead lead into the halftime break, 27-19.
La Salle got into early foul trouble in the 3rd quarter but San Beda failed to capitalize on their trips to the charity lane. Surprisingly, the Green Archers proved much steadier at the foul line, converting 14 out of 18 for 78% while the Red Lions only managed to make only a poor 5 out of 14 of their free throws, a poor 36% conversion rate.
San Beda finally managed to tie the game at 38 when Baser Amer of San Beda sank a three point shot after he was momentarily left wide open by La Salle. Almond Vosotros quickly answered with a three point shot of his own to give La Salle the lead, then Norbert Torres converted to increase the Green Archers’ lead to four at 46 – 42. After a San Beda basket by Rome dela Rosa, LA Revilla hit a jumper over Red Lion center Adeogun to create separation, 48-44 with 30 seconds left. San Beda threatened again with a Pascual basket, but the Red Lions were forced to foul LA Revilla, who nailed both free throws to cement the win and a spot in the finals.
“We lost to San Beda before. Actually sila yung una naming nakalaban in this tournament. Before kasi e finifigure out pa namin yung strengths and weaknesses ng isa’t isa. I have to give props to the coaching staff because they did a really good job in this game.”, said Coach Gee Abanilla in a post-game interview.
“Pareho lang ang gagawin naming preparation against NU. 10 – 0 ang record nila sa tournament na to so kami talaga yung underdogs. Lahat ng players nila ay magagaling” he added.
La Salle will now face the undefeated National University Bulldogs in the finals on Tuesday, June 12 at 4PM in the FilOil Flying V Arena. NU had earlier defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the other semi-final match, 85 – 68.
Note: The Green Archers won the first two editions of this tournament (2006 and 2007).
Box Scores:
DLSU 50 – Torres N. 12, Revilla 9, Vosotros 7, Teng 5, Andrada 4, Mendoza 4, Tallo 4, Manguera 3, Paredes 2, Webb 0, Gotladera 0.
SBC 46 – Pascual J. 10, Amer 10, Adeogun 7, Dela Cruz 6, Dela Rosa 4, Lim 3, Caram 2, Koga 2, Moralde 2, Pascual K. 0, Ludovice 0.
Quarter Scores: 16-13; 27-19; 35-31; 50-46