Jeron Teng helps La Salle eliminate UST from Final Four contention
In the last UAAP season, the De La Salle University Green Archers ended the title hopes of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers with a victory in Game 3 of the Finals. Now, the Green Archers eliminate the Tigers from Final Four contention with a 67-60 win, Saturday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Jeron Teng scored 26 point, adding seven rebounds and two assists, to carry the fight for La Salle. They were mired in an uncomfortably close game against the Tigers, even facing deficits in the fourth quarter but Teng was steady from the field and from the free throw line to help his side get the win.
The Green Archers now hold a 9-3 win-loss record right behind FEU at 10-2 and Ateneo at 10-3. The victory kept La Salle’s bid for a twice-to-beat advantage alive.
As NU (7-4) and UE (6-5) can still reach 9-5 (La Salle’s worst possible record), the Archers are not yet assured of a spot in the Final Four. They can change all of this on Wednesday with a win over UE.
UST on the other hand falls to 5-7 to end their Final Four hopes. Already without Kevin Ferrer who is still nursing a wrist injury, the Tigers had to play without Louie Vigil who was suspended after committing his second unsportsmanlike foul of the season in their last game.
Even if they were outmatched on paper, the UST squad showed the old fire that was lacking throughout this season. They were right there with La Salle in the end but they were held scoreless in the last 2:32 of the contest.
With the game on the line, all the Tigers came up with were three turnovers, an air ball from Aljon Mariano, and a three-point miss from Enzo Subido at the buzzer with the game already decided.
Ed Daquioag led UST with 19 points while Kent Lao added 14. The duo, not known for their three-point shooting, shot 7 of 14 from beyond the arc to lead the fight for the Tigers.
Karim Abdul added 13 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks but he turned the ball over six times, including a travelling violation with the Tigers down by just one. Aljon Mariano scored six points after going 3 of 15 from the field. He also committed a crucial turnover leading to game-sealing free throws for La Salle.
The Tigers by no means dominated the first three quarters but they were able to lead after every period.
UST even held a 58-54 lead with 4:16 left in the fourth quarter after five straight points from Daquioag. Arnold Van Opstal and Teng worked inside to get La Salle back into the game. The duo scored 18 of La Salle's 21 fourth quarter points with the King Archer put the finishing touches by making his free throws down the stretch.
The Main Man: Teng once again proved that La Salle will go wherever he leads them. Teng scored 11 points in the final quarter to give the Archers an important win.
Honorable Mention: Van Opstal made UST’s defense pay every time they put too much pressure on Teng as he made himself available for easy baskets.
Game Turning Point: Down 63-30 after two free throws from Teng, UST still had one good shot at getting back into the game with a quick two or a three. Instead Mariano drove inside and turned the ball over. Teng missed both free throws on the other end but La Salle got the offensive rebound. Teng made the next two to seal the win.
He Said It:
La Salle head coach Juno Sauler: UST played very well on both ends. They gave us problems. We pulled this out because of our defense. We just want to play well on Wednesday. Just make the most on the two opportunities. It's always tough to play on UE, they'll put pressure on us.
The scores:
La Salle 67: Teng 26, Van Opstal 11, Montalbo 8, Torres 7, Sargent 7, Perkins 4, Vosotros 4, Rivero 0, Tratter 0, Bolick 0.
UST 60: Daquioag 19, Lao 14, Abdul 13, Mariano 6, Lo 5, Gayosa 3, Sheriff 0, Subido 0, Basibas 0, Pe 0, Macasaet 0.
Quarters: 16-17, 30-34, 46-47, 67-60.
