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La Salle rallies past NU, forces three-way tie for first

La Salle's Jeron Teng celebrates after the Green Archers nip the NU Bulldogs, 57-55 in second-round action in UAAP Season 76. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

In a battle between two streaking teams, something had to give. And when the dust settled, National University's winning run had been halted by red-hot De La Salle.

With Jeron Teng taking charge in the stretch, the Green Archers completed a come-from-behind 57-55 victory against the erstwhile rampaging Bulldogs and sealed their Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 76 men’s cage action at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 6-foot-2 Teng pumped in eight of his team-high 21 points in the fourth canto and provided the spark in the team’s 14-3 finishing kick, capped by the go-ahead putback, that enabled La Salle to extend its winning streak to six and forge a three-way tie for the lead with 9-4 record, joining its victim and idle Far Eastern University.

Forward Jason Perkins also dished out a double-double outing of 18 markers and 10 rebounds for the Green Archers, who also avenged a 56-63 setback in their initial meeting last July 28.

Reigning two-time league MVP Ray Parks scattered 19 points but missed a potential game-winning jumper against Teng just before the buzzer sounded.

The Main Man: For the nth time, Jeron Teng starred for La Salle.

After going scoreless in the third canto, the 6-foot-2 forward exploded just in time for the Green Archers, collecting eight of his game-high 21 points while sparking the team’s decisive 14-3 close out.

His biggest basket came off a putback that put them ahead 56-55 then preserved his heroics with a defensive gem against NU counterpart Ray Parks, who shot an air ball on his last jumper.
 
Honorable Mention: Jason Perkins continues to be the Green Archers’ silent operator.

Showing his effectiveness to the hilt, the 6-foot-4 forward banged in 12 of his 18 points in the third canto laced by 10 rebounds and three assists.

He also had his fair share in limiting NU’s Cameroon import Sean Mbe, who only had four points on 2-of-9 shooting.
 
Game Turning Point: Staring at a big 43-52 deficit going to the final five minutes, the Green Archers thrived defensively and initially regained the lead behind a 13-2 run capped by Teng’s putback with 44.8 seconds left.

A split by LA Revilla padded La Salle’s lead to two before Teng came through with a big defensive stop against Parks.
 
They Said It:
La Salle coach Juno Sauler: “After the first round, I just told them to be mentally tougher and mentally prepared coming into the second round. Everything was mental in our preparation. We did a better job defensively in the second half.”
 
La Salle forward Jerong Teng: “I just trusted my teammates that they will be there for the needed (defensive) help.”