CEBU — La Salle handed Southwestern University its first loss in the Filoil Flying V preseason tournament, 64-59, on Saturday at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Seldom-used Matt Salem came up huge, making two three-pointers in the fourth period that triggered the Archers' breakaway in the closely-contested game.
Jeron Teng, Almond Vosotros and Arnold Van Opstal then drove the Archers home with clutch shots down the stretch.
Vosotros had 16 points, including a trey and a layup that put the game out of reach, 64-54, with just 45 seconds left.
Teng, last year's UAAP finals MVP, scored 12 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and issued five assists that helped La Salle get their third win in four games.
Cameroonian import Landry Sanjo had a tough time against La Salle's aggressive double-teaming but still put up 16 points and 19 boards for SWU, which fell to 4-1.
Mac Tallo and Daryl Goloran each chipped in 11.
The game was tied at 40 at the start of the fourth when Salem led a 9-2 rally that gave La Salle a 49-42 lead. Teng converted on a leaner and Vosotros made a straightaway three-pointer that kept SWU at bay, 59-50, 2:07 remaining.
In the first game, University of the East improved to 3-2 with an 82-69 rout of the University of the Visayas.
Import Charles Mammie of Sierra Leone paced UE with 21 points and nine rebounds before sitting out the fourth period after he was hit on the at the back of the head by UV guard Jun Kent Manzo.
UV wrapped up its stint in this competition without a win in six outings.
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