La Salle makes quick work of still winless Adamson

MANILA, Philippines – The De La Salle Green Archers got their rhythm going after a searing 20-0 run to start the game and never looked back to put away the still winless Adamson Soaring Falcons, 66-57, in the men’s basketball tournament of UAAP Season 77 on Sunday, August 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Archers shot 53% and sank 14 inside points in the opening canto to turn a 5-3 early deficit into a 23-5 advantage before ending the first up 23-8. 

Adamson, led by Don Trollano’s 26 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists, turned the tables around in the second frame and shot 47% while dousing cold water on La Salle’s offense to keep it close at the half, 33-27. But the Falcons’ efforts to cut the deficit in the second half, though aggressive, weren’t enough against the defending champions, who entered the fourth sporting a 55-43 advantage. 

“Adamson played aggressive today, they were hustling for every loose ball,” La Salle head coach Juno Sauler noted what his team missed in this game despite being able to bounce back from a loss that broke their 7-game win streak. 

“We didn’t shoot very well from the floor. Had a lot of attempts from the three, I think we only made one,” he said of his team who shot just one of 17 from three-point distance. 

The sputtering, inconsistent offense is a major concern for Sauler as his team shot a total of just 33.9% in this game, which is worse than their their 35.2% shooting in their previous loss to the FEU Tamaraws. 

“It’s hard to win if you can’t make an open three. The three’s gonna be crucial, especially if you’re wide open. So we just have to keep working on the shots. Hopefully during ballgames when we’re open we can knock a few.” 

Sauler also noted the Archers’ “lack of energy on the boards” as his team was outrebounded by a hair, 50-49.

Trollano showed how much he wanted to give his team their first win of the season as he worked to trim the lead to single digits, 59-51, midway in the payoff period. But Adamson couldn’t capitalize on the ensuing nearly two minutes of offensive silence for La Salle, giving Jason Perkins a chance to stifle the Falcons’ upset hopes with a jumper, 61-51. 

Perkins figured in a double double performance of 16 points and 16 rebounds as La Salle cruised to the final buzzer and an 8-3 win-loss record, tied for second with the Ateneo Blue Eagles. 

Jeron Teng wasn’t too far behind with his 15 markers, 8 boards and 6 assists. Almond Vosotros added 12 points. 

At the home stretch of the eliminations, Sauler understands how critical it is to win every game no matter the circumstance in the standings. But to him, it’s still the little victories on the court that will take his team far. 

“What’s more important is we play better than how we played the past few games.” 

Then again, he also knows everything is mental at this point.

“We have to play more consistent both physically and mentally, probably more mentally. At this point we’re not supposed to commit mental mistakes.”

Meanwhile, the Falcons, whose only other player in double figures was Jansen Rios (11 points), are still at the bottom of the standings without a victory in 11 outings.

Scores

La Salle (66): Perkins 16, Teng 15, Vosotros 12, Van Opstal 7, N. Torres 6, Montalbo 4, Bolick 3, Sargent 3, Rivero 0.

Adamson (57): Trollano 26, Rios 11, Ochea 6, Nalos 5, Monteclaro 4, Aquino 3, Barrera 2, Baytan 0, Garcia 0, Inigo 0, Polican 0, Villanueva 0.

Quarter scores: 23-8, 33-27, 55-43, 66-57.

– Rappler.com