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MANILA, Philippines – The defending champions of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) have moved one step closer to defending their crown.
The De La Salle University Green Archers used a dominant third quarter to defeat the FEU Tamaraws, 74-61, in the Elite Eight round of the 2014 PCCL tourney on Monday afternoon, November 24, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Ben Mbala scored 10 of his 20 points in the third quarter, where La Salle outscored their UAAP rivals 27-9. He also finished with 12 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block, while Jeron Teng put up 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
La Salle established an 18-10 lead in the first quarter before a rally in the second quarter helped the Tamaraws take a 37-33 lead entering the half.
In the third quarter, DLSU head coach Juno Sauler used a big frontcourt lineup with Mbala, Abu Tratter, and Prince Rivero playing the center and forward positions to change the pace of the game toward their favor.
“We went big. We used Tratter, Ben, and Prince at the same time. So we controlled the rebounds,” he said after the game.
“I liked his aggressiveness. I like the way he defended,” Sauler said about Mbala.
A post move that led to a basket for Rivero kickstarted DLSU’s game-changing run. Following his basket, a jumper by Mbala and 3-ball by Thomas Torres put the Green Archers ahead 51-40.
Later on, after a pair of shots by Mike Tolomia and Roger Pogoy trickled in, DLSU went back to Mbala who attacked the lane and converted a bucket in the paint to increase his team’s lead back to 14, 60-46.
In the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, Teng got to the free throw line and converted both charities. Not long after, Matt Salem hit a left-corner 3-ball to extended La Salle’s lead to 19, which the Tamaraws couldn’t rally from.
Joe Allen Trinidad spearheaded Far Eastern University with 12 points and 5 rebounds, while Al Francis Tamsi finished with 11 markers. Tolomia came up with only 7 points on 3-of-15 shooting.
La Salle shot 41% from the floor and limited the Tams to just 36% shooting. DLSU also won the rebounding battle, 49-40, and had 21 assists to the Tamaraws’ 8.
Both teams were undermanned as FEU played without Mac Belo, Anthony Hargrove, and Achie Inigo, while DLSU was without Arnold Van Opstal, Norbert Torres, Julian Sargent, Almond Vosotros, and Jason Perkins.
The win improved DLSU’s record in the Elite Eight round to 4-0, which is the best among the remaining teams in the tournament and good enough to warrant them a spot in the league finals that begin on Thursday, November 27.
La Salle will face either the San Beda Red Lions (2-1) or the University of San Carlos Warriors (3-1) in the final round, depending on the outcome of Tuesday’s, November 25, game between San Beda and the Arellano University Chiefs. – Rappler.com
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