La Salle survives close call vs FEU to open second round with a win

Just three days after losing a close match against their rival the Ateneo Blue Eagles, the DLSU Green Archers bounced back by winning the first game of their second-round campaign against another familiar foe, the FEU Tamaraws, 75-73, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It was a game of runs, with DLSU building big leads only for FEU to consistently rally. In the late stages of the fourth period, the Tamaraws had a puncher’s chance to pull off the upset, but the Archers did just enough to get their sixth win in eight games.

Ricci Rivero led DLSU in scoring again with 20 points plus 5 steals, while Ben Mbala had a double-double of 18 points and 17 rebounds. Jollo Go also stepped up with 14 points.

FEU almost stole the victory after having the ball following a time-out with a little over two seconds to go. DLSU was ahead only by two, but the Tams were unable to complete a successful inbound play. The turnover – FEU’s 29th of the game – was the nail in the coffin.

La Salle also coughed up the ball a lot with 23 turnovers, and once again struggled from the free throw line by going just 11-of-24.

DLSU will be back in action on Sunday against UP – the other team to beat them in the first round of Season 80.

The win gave La Salle current solo second spot in the league standings behind 7-0 Ateneo.

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