This time, there were no controversial calls. Just pure grit.
Almond Vosotros scored 19 points, including the game-winning basket with 1.8 seconds left as the De La Salle Green Archers defeated Adamson 70-69 in overtime today to start the second round of UAAP Season 76.
Vosotros converted on a short left-side jumper off an LA Revilla miss that bouced several times before falling in. An errant inbound pass by the Falcons in the succeeding play sealed the win for the Green Archers, who improved to 4-4 for solo 5th in the standings.
Arnold Van Opstal added 13 points while Jeron Teng had 9. La Salle played without guards Thomas Torres and Luigi de la Paz due to illness.
The Green Archers recovered late in the first quarter after a sluggish start. The Off-the-bench players, particularly rookie Kib Montalbo provided the energy on both ends as the team seized the lead in the second quarter and take a 34-30 lead at the half.
It remained nip-and-tuck in the third period before the Archers went on a 7-1 run to lead 52-47 heading into the final period.
Another seesaw battle ensued in the fourth as both team each had their own mini spurts.
With the Archers up by 5 in the closing mintues, the Falcons scored 6 straight points to put them up by 1 with a little over a minute left in regulation. After turnovers by both teams, LA Revilla drilled in a three to give La Salle a 2 point lead with 56 ticks left. The Falcons then tied the game with two free throws from Rodney Brondial.
La Salle failed to score in the next play but was fortunate that Adamson muffed several chances to win the game as the score remained tied after 4 quarters.
With the Falcons up 69-66 after a three-pointer by Roider Cabrera, La Salle was able to score on a quick basket by Norbert Torres off an assist by Teng.
Adamson then committed a turnover in the next possession, setting the stage for Vosotros’ end-game heroics.
The win spoiled Brondial’s career performance of 19 points and 23 rebouncs. Jericho Cruz added 15 for the Falcons, who dropped to 3-5.
The Green Archers will next face the erstwhile undefeated FEU on Sunday.
Box Scores:
DLSU (70) – Vosotros 19, Van Opstal 13, Teng 9, N. Torres 8, Perkins 6, Revilla 5, Tampus 4, Salem 3, Montalbo 3, Reyes 0.
AdU (69) – Brondial 19, Cruz 15, Cabrera 11, Trollano 9, Petilos 6, Monteclaro 5, Sewa 2, Julkipli 1, Agustin 1, Rios 0, Ochea 0, Cabigas 0, Bernabe 0, Abrigo 0.
Quarterscores: 14-16; 34-30; 52-47; 62-62; 70-69.
