Teng explodes for 32 as La Salle strikes back at Ateneo

MANILA, Philippines – The last time the two most bitter rivals in Philippine college basketball went head to head, it was the boys in blue who prevailed. 

On Sunday, August 17, the guys in green, who happen to also be the defending champions of the UAAP, struck back. 

Jeron Teng had 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, outdueling his rival for the MVP award Kiefer Ravena, who finished with 22 markers, 6 boards, and 6 dimes, to lead the DLSU Green Archers past the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 88-86, at Smart Araneta Coliseum. (IN PHOTOS: La Salle gets even with rivals Ateneo)

Jason Perkins had 18 points to go with 10 rebounds, including the clutch jumper that paved the way for his team’s victory.  

“Very well fought between the two sides, which was what was expected,” DLSU head coach Juno Sauler said after the game. 

La Salle, which also received 11, 10, and 9 points from Julian Sargent, Robert Bolick, and Prince Rivero, respectively, wins their sixth straight game to tie Ateneo and FEU atop the league standings at 6-2. 

“I’m not thinking of the standing at this point and the streak,” Coach Sauler added.  

Spearheaded by two Nico Elorde triples, Ateneo trimmed the La Salle lead to four in the third quarter, while also putting a stop to Teng’s scoring in the early goings of the period. 

However, Perkins started to heat up, putting up five quick markers that played a huge role as DLSU increased their edge back to seven, 56-49. 

The Blue Eagles remained hot for the remainder of the period, while the Green Archers started to misfire on offense. Thanks to five straight points by Von Pessumal, the game was tied at 61.

With their lead gone, DLSU slowed down on offense and managed to properly swing the ball for trips to the like and an open layup for Julian Sargent.  

Entering the fourth period, La Salle was up by five, 66-61. 

After the two teams exchanged baskets to open the fourth quarter, turnovers by La Salle provided easy points for Ateneo, which eventually took the lead, 72-71.

With under three minutes left and DLSU ahead only by three, Ravena managed to draw a foul on Teng and made both shots. 

The Green Archers countered by going to Sargent, who hit a corner 3-ball, 81-77.

However, Ateneo managed to tie the game again at 81 thanks to Ravena and Ponso Gotladera’s buckets. After which, Teng went to the line and converted one FT. Not long after, Perkins converted a tough fallaway J to push the lead to three, 84-81. 

After Ravena missed his running layup, Perkins was sent to the charity stripe where he made one shot. Chris Newsome then took the handle coast to coast and scored, 85-83, La Salle.  

After Teng pushed the lead back to four at the charity stripe, Newsome converted a tough 3-ball from the top of the key with three seconds to go. Almond Vosotros then got fouled, running the clock in the process, and made one free throw.  

The Blue Eagles were then unable to get the rebound, sealing the loss. 

Newsome finished with 15 points for Ateneo, while Elorde had 14. 

The first quarter was controlled by Teng, who scored his first 15 points in the first 10 minutes of play. 

La Salle did a good job early of limiting the Blue Eagles to just one shot on offense, not allowing their rivals to get easy second chance scoring opportunities. 

A big triple by Pessumal in the second quarter was crucial as it allowed ADMU to get within single digits after DLSU threatened to run away with the game. 

Perkins also made his presence felt late in the second period, putting up six straight points to keep the Green Archers ahead.

However, Ravena came alive in the second quarter, where he totaled 15 markers, including making the final 3-ball before the halftime break to keep the deficit at eight, 44-36.

DLSU shot 32 FTs to ADMU’s 24, and outrebounded their rivals, 44-43. Both clubs had 16 assists each. – Rappler.com

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