MANILA, Philippines – After dropping 3 consecutive games, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers got back on the winning track with a hard-fought 56-52 victory over the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons on August 12, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the high-flying Alex Nuyles out for the season, Adamson relied on a diverse cast to fill up the offensive void.
First up was Jansen Rios, whose early 7 points surprised everyone but himself. The seldom-used guard had more spring in his step, easily out-jumping and out-hustling the La Salle frontline for offensive rebounds and putback baskets.
Adamson forced 3 steals at the onset while the Archers consistently dumped the ball inside to Norbert Torres. La Salle’s efforts paid off as Torres converted inside for 6 early points and gave his team an 18-13 lead after 10 minutes.
Superb perimeter defense from La Salle typified the first 4 minutes of the second quarter and the Falcons were forced to direct their offense inside to Rodney Brondial. The Adamson big man responded in kind, using his height and length to manipulate the paint and score on broken plays.
Falcon guard Ryan Monteclaro exploded for 9 points of his own — including two 3-point bomb — even as his team shot a paltry 28% from the field in the first half. Nevertheless, poor free throw shooting and 10 turnovers by La Salle gave Adamson a slim 32-30 advantage heading into the break.
The third quarter was, by aesthetic standards, painful to watch. Neither team could buy a basket from outside and both squads’ ball-handling was sloppy.
Adamson committed 5 turnovers in the canto and failed to knock in a field goal until there was only 1:07 left. On the other hand, Jeron Teng led the fastbreak attack for the Archers as La Salle outscored the Falcons 13-8 in the quarter to take the lead, 43-40.
A Norbert Torres versus Jericho Cruz shootout kicked off the game’s last period and the Falcons soon took their first lead since the second quarter, 50-49, on a Roider Cabrera free throw.
Not long after, however, Cabrera reverted to his trigger-happy ways, throwing up bricks and pulling up for ill-advised jumpers too far from the basket. Led by Teng and Yutien Andrada’s craftiness inside, the Archers were composed down the stretch, going on a 7-2 run to end the game.
Teng registered 15 points and 10 rebounds in the win, while Torres had a solid outing with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Still, La Salle shot a dismal 6/18 from the charity stripe.
Monteclaro led the Falcons with 12 markers, including 3 triples, in the losing effort.
La Salle played without the services of LA Revilla for most of the game. The star point guard aggravated his left ankle sprain midway through the first and was unable to return.
DLSU head coach Gee Abanilla told reporters after the game that they would have Revilla’s ankle checked to find out if he will be able to play in their next outing against the NU Bulldogs. – Rappler.com
DLSU, 56: Teng 15, N. Torres 12, Tallo 7, Andrada 6, Mendoza 5, Webb 4, T. Torres 3, Manguera 3, Vosotros 1, Van Opstal 0, Revilla 0
AdU, 52: Monteclaro 12, Cabrera 8, Brondial 8, Rios 7, Cruz 7, Camson 5, Julkipli 2, Abrigo 2, Olalia 1, Trollano 0, Petilos 0, Etrone 0, Cabigas 0, Agustin 0
Quarter scores: 18-13, 30-32, 43-40, 56-52
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