JASON Perkins and Arnold Van Opstal led a furious De La Salle windup as the Green Archers claimed the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup title with a 71-66 victory over the San Beda Red Lions on Sunday at The Arena in San Juan.
Perkins and Van Opstal combined for 13 points in the final period where the defending UAAP champions outscored the reigning NCAA title holders, 23-10, to complete the come-from-behind win.
Almond Vosotros topscored with 18 points and came up big in the endgame, scoring four important free throws and breaking up San Beda’s final inbound play to secure the Taft-based school’s third title in the country’s premier preseason tournament.
Jeron Teng and Perkins had 14 points each while Van Opstal finished with nine markers and seven rebounds for La Salle, which gained a big confidence boost ahead of its title defense in the UAAP following the big victory.
The Archers scored 10 unanswered points in the middle of a 13-5 run, capped by a Perkins basket that saw them overcome a 48-56 deficit and pull abreast at 61-all.
Van Opstal also hit back-to-back baskets for a 65-64 La Salle advantage before Perkins scored another lay-up for a 67-66 lead.
That proved to be the last stand of the Lions as big man Ola Adeogun missed crucial shots and committed turnovers in the final minute.
Vosotros then hit two free throws with 10.1 seconds left for a 69-66 lead before scoring two more charities after deflecting the inbound pass by Ryusei Koga.
The loss spoiled the efforts of Baser Amer and Art Dela Cruz for San Beda. Amer scored a game-high 23 points while Dela Cruz had 14 points and 15 rebounds to pace the Lions, who took a 51-40 lead in the third quarter.
San Beda was still ahead, 56-48, at the start of the fourth.
The scores:
La Salle (71) – Vosotros 18, Teng 14, Perkins 14, Van Opstal 9, T. Torres 6, Salem 4, Montalbo 3, Andrada 2, N. Torres 1, Sargent 0, Tratter 0, Mustre 0.
San Beda (66) – Amer 23, Dela Cruz 14, A. Semerad 9, Adeogun 8, K. Pascual 6, Koga 4, D. Semerad 2, Ludovice 0, Solera 0, Mocon 0, Mendoza 0, Bonsubre 0.
Quarterscores: 13-20; 32-41; 48-56; 71-66.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
