In yet another thriller in the Nike Summer League, the De La Salle Green Archers succumbed to Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila in double overtime, 72-73, on June 2 at the Far Eastern University Gym.
With 13.7 seconds remaining in the second overtime period, the Archers had a chance to salvage a quarterfinals spot in the NSL with one last play. However, LA Revilla let the clock run out as he hesitated in his decision making in the final seconds.
Thus, the green and white squad eliminated itself in the tournament it previously won back in 2007.
Peejay Barua was the lone double digit scorer for the De La Salle with 22 points.
Joseph Abaya milked his crossover pull up jumpers whole game long for 25 points and five rebounds. Chris Aqualiful filled the paint with a double-double day of 15 markers and 11 boards.
The Archers started firing for a 19-5 start in the first period with Hyram Bagatsing scoring all of his nine points in that span. They were not able to maintain the lead as turnovers did them in the second period with the Pirates recovering to get back into the game.
The Taft-based squad pulled together a 7-0 run to lead, 37-30, midway of the third quarter, but this quickly evaporated as Lyceum scored six unanswered points at the end of the period to lead for the first time in the game. The Intramuros-based crew then erected a seven-point gap, 58-51, via Aqualiful’s incomplete and-one play, a few shades before the twilight zone.
There was a shift in momentum when a lull occurred after Jerard Ong was hit with a foul followed by a technical with exactly two minutes to go in regulation. Barua hit the freethrows followed by a Kish Co layup to tie the game, 58-all, with 1:44 remaining.
Aqualiful scored the next three points for LPU-M, negated by Barua’s three-pointer, :45.2 in the clock. Abaya’s fadeaway hit the front end of the rim while Revilla’s three at the buzzer went short to send the game into OT.
The Archers built a five-point gap to start the first extra time, 66-61, from Revilla’s two charities, 3:06. An Abaya trey and an Aqualiful followup with 49 ticks left evened the tally once more.
In the second OT, it was Lyceum which went up by five, 73-68, from an Abaya pop up, 1:19 remaining. Barua then hit a triple at the wings to turn it into a one-possession contest, a minute and six remaining.
Revilla could have tied the count but he missed the first of his two freebies. Joel Tolentino made a crucial steal off Aaron Anactia to set the final play but that was all to it as Revilla drove in then went out, finally deciding to go baseline moments before the buzzer sounded.
In a busy day for Lasallians, De La Salle Zobel and La Salle Greenhills had contrasting fortunes in the quarterfinals of the juniors division.
Luigi dela Paz scored the game-winning basket for the Junior Archers, winning against San Beda College-Rizal, 81-80.
Dela Paz and Arnold Van Opstal combined for 42 points with Dela Paz also putting up five rebounds and four assists. Gwynne Capacio had 11 markers and three feeds as Aiki Herrera chipped in ten and seven boards.
Nico Elorde had a statline of nine points, three caroms, and six feeds.
Baser Amer and Von Chavez led the Red Cubs with 17 points each.
DLSZ will go up against Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the semifinals on June 8 at the FEU Gym.
LSGH was not as fortunate as it got bumped by fellow NCAA school Jose Rizal University, 73-81.
Louie Vigil carried the Light Bombers on his lithe shoulders with 29 points and five rebounds, hitting key baskets in the clutch. Joshua Saret helped out with 14 markers and some stinging defense in the backcourt.
Ervin Flores was the lone double figure scorer for the Greenies with 12 points and four rebounds.
Scores
Lyceum-Manila 73 – Abaya 25, Aqualiful 15, Rimando 10, Difuntorum 8, Guevarra 8, Anactia 5, Ong 2, Cayabyab 0, Mendoza 0.
De La Salle 72 – Barua 22, Malabes 9, Bagatsing 9, Villanueva 8, Mangahas 8, Co 6, Revilla 5, Mendoza 3, Atkins 0, Andrada 0, Marata 0, Webb 0.
Quarters: 13-20, 25-28, 42-39, 61-61, 66-66, 73-72.