LA Salle outlasted NCAA champion San Beda, 61-56, on Friday to remain unbeaten in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Elite Eight at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Jeron Teng came up with 20 points, nine rebounds and three assists to lead the Green Archers to their third win. Thomas Torres had nine markers and Cameroonian import Benoit Mbala scored nine points and grabbed 14 boards.
More than the win, La Salle coach Juno Sauler is pleased with the Archers’ resolve, sticking to the game plan despite playing against an unfamiliar system.
“It’s not naman winning a PCCL championship, syempre after UAAP you want your players to grow. So if other teams run just let them, stay there and learn,” he said.
La Salle limited San Beda to just five points in the third period, while the Green Archers had 19.
San Beda fought back in a 19-10 fourth quarter but that was not enough to erase the early deficit.
“San Beda played a very good defense, they’re the champion of the NCAA,” said Sauler. “It’s a good experience for the boys to experience that kind of situation and how to handle things like that.”
The Red Lions had a miserable 3-point shooting night, missing all of its 14 shots.
“Were lucky San Beda took 14 but didn’t make any,” said Sauler.
La Salle will face Far Eastern University on Monday.
Baser Amer and Ola Adeogun had 14 and 11 points, respectively for San Beda (1-1).
The scores:
La Salle 61: Teng 20, Torres 9, Mbala 9, Rivero 7, Tratter 5, Pascual 3, Bolick 2, Montalbo 2, Salem 2, Muyang 2, Mustre 0.
San Beda 56: Amer 14, Adeogun 11, Tankoua 9, Dela Cruz 8, Mendoza 8, Koga 4, Soberano 2, Sara 0, Tongco 0, Abatayo 0, Presbitero 0, Mocon 0.
Quarterscores: 15-20; 32-32; 51-37; 61-56.
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