The Green Archers outlasted the UP Fighting Maroons 64-50, in a heated confrontation today at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City. Despite the seemingly lopsided score, the Fighting Maroons gave the Green Archers a good fight, literally going down fighting.
Jovet Mendoza and Almond Vosotros led the team with 13 points each followed by Norbert Torres with 11. The rookie duo of Jeron Teng (9 points) and Mark Tallo (6 points) provided ample scoring support. Torres hauled down 10 rebounds while Mark Tallo dished 7 assists .
Rookie Chris Ball is the only player who scored in double digits for the UP Fighting Maroons by contributing 10 points, followed by Mark Lopez and Mike Silungan who registered 9 and 7 points, respectively.
The first quarter started in favor of La Salle. The Green Archers’ perimeter shooting was still tentative, but their efforts to feed Forward Jovet Mendoza and Center Norbert Torres proved to be successful as they led UP with a 10 – 1 start. DLSU’s defense frustrated UP’s attempts to take the ball into the paint, while the Green Archers were productive on offense, a characteristic that they have consistently continuing a trend they showed over the last 2 games. However, UP’s defense concentrated on marking rookie Archer Jeron Teng. Knowing that it would be difficult for them to penetrate the defense of the Green Archers, the Maroons opted to fire away from the perimeter, and kept the green-and-white close at the first quarter, which ended 19 – 13 in favor of the Green Archers.
Jeron Teng jumpstarted the Green Archers’ offense in the second quarter by scoring a quick layup after penetrating UP’s defense. Norbert Torres and Jovet Mendoza proved to be the most important players in this quarter as they finished the Archers’ patient offensive sets. Unable to bottle up La Salle’s offensive thrusts, UP’s frustration on defense led to a brief scrap between Mike Silungan and La Salle’s Jed Manguera, with Manguera getting the better of the exchange over Silungan by scoring a quick three-point shot which increased the Green Archers’ already big lead.
The confrontations did not stop there. Joshua Webb and Alvin Padilla figured in another confrontation which was broken up by the Arena’s security personnel. Thomas Torres and Ponso Gotladera were ejected from the match for entering the court during the fracas. Padilla was adjudged to be at fault, and the Green Archers were awarded free-throws and possession. Despite this, UP did not give up and they were still able to score some pretty crucial baskets thanks to Lopez, with the half ending with the score at 36 – 28 in favor of the Green Archers.
Both teams were tentative in the start of the third quarter with both teams missing their first few shots. Manguera, despite deferring to his teammates on offense was a big asset to the Green Archers’ defense. Likewise, Aiki Herrera also played quality minutes by contributing a couple of baskets. UP was unable to make a dent in La Salle’s lead during the third quarter which ended at 50-41. Norbert Torres further showcased his improvement by acting as an intimidating force in the posts both offensively and defensively.
UP failed to take advantage of the offensive rebounds that they were able to pull down, andthis proved to be crucial as the Green Archers registered the biggest lead in the game at 55 – 41. Adding to their frustration were several misses from close range which could have reduced the lead significantly. Archer guard Vosotros found himself in a couple of situations with Lopez and Padilla which almost triggered a brawl. Padilla was eventually ejected from the ballgame in the closing minutes for incurring two technical fouls.
Notes: La Salle committed 22 turnovers as compared to UP’s 9. LA Revilla, Oda Tampus, Yutien Andrada and Luigi dela Paz remain sidelined due to injury.
Boxscores
DLSU 64 – Mendoza 13, Vosotros 13, Torres N 11, Teng 9, Tallo 6, Webb 5, Herrera 4, Manguera 3, Paredes 0, Reyes G 0, Torres T 0, Gotladera 0, Reyes M 0
UP 50 – Ball 10, Loez 9, Silungan 7, Padilla 6, Gamboa 6, Soyud 4, Mbah 4, Gallarza 2, Hipolito 2, Montecastro 0, Asilum 0, Romero 0 , Manuel 0
Quarterscores: 19-13;36-28;50-41;64-50