JERON TENG made up for muffed free throws in the dying seconds by completing a crucial three-point play in his first-ever UAAP game to lift La Salle to a nail-biting 73-68 victory over University of the Philippines on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Teng scored 15 points, including a baseline lay-up that drew a foul to reclaim the lead for the Green Archers. That basket gave La Salle a 70-68 advantage after UP had momentarily grabbed the upper hand.
“It was a tough win for us,” said La Salle coach Gee Abanilla, who also nailed his first-ever win in the UAAP. “UP played tough and they did a good job scoring easy points against us.
“We need to do a better job on that aspect and go back to the drawing board and work on our transition defense.”
The Green Archers won despite losing a 55-38 lead in the third period and a 56-46 edge heading to the fourth canto.
After the Maroons came within a point, Teng headed to the line for two charities but missed both. He earned another chance after UP’s Raul Soyud was called for a lane violation but again muffed the shot.
Alvin Padilla scored a fade away shot in the paint to make it 68-67 with 44.7 seconds left to give the Maroons the upper hand but the Green Archers quickly gained control after LA Revilla dished out one of his seven assists to Teng.
Revilla also tallied 15 points and 11 rebounds to become the third point guard in the last three years to register a double-double.
Norbert Torres had 16 points and 14 rebounds while Yutien Andrada chipped in 10 points, all in the first half.
Mike Silungan and rookie Henri Asilum had 18 and 12 points each for the Maroons.
The scores:
LA SALLE 73 — N. Torres 16, Teng 15, Revilla 15, Andrada 10, Dela Paz 9, Mendoza 6, Webb 2, Van Opstal 0, Paredes 0, Vosotros 0, Gotladera 0, Tallo 0, Manguera 0.
UP 68 — Silungan 18, Asilum 12, Lopez 10, Soyud 8, Padilla 7, Manuel 5, Ball 4, Romero 2, Hipolito 2, Wierzba 0, Montecastro 0, Gamboa 0, Gallarza 0.
Quarterscores: 17-16; 35-29; 56-46; 73-68.
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