IT TOOK just one game for defending champion La Salle to unleash a monster opponents have to fear in UAAP Season 89.
Rookie Joaquin Tovera was a nightmare for National U, firing 22 points to shoot the Green Archers to a well-earned 89-87 win on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.
From a tight tally of 64-60, Tovera scored nine straight points to jumpstart a 14-4 charge that mounted a 78-64 advantage in their favor early in the final frame.
True to themselves, though, the Bulldogs kept coming and neared to just down one, 84-85, under the last three minutes only to see Doy Dungo make good on an open triple to give DLSU more breathing room.
After Reinhard Jumamoy's layup yet again closed the gap and Jacob Cortez and Mason Amos went 1-of-4 from freebies, NU still had 3.4 seconds to make something happen.
Paul Francisco, though, gave up a good look at a layup for a wide open PJ Palacielo, whose triple try fell short just as time expired.
No-let-up La Salle
Tovera wound up with 22 points and three steals, while Luis Pablo took care of the interior with 16 markers, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Dungo also came up big with 12 points to his name, as Cortez didn't have to shoulder much of the scoring load with just nine markers in 30-percent shooting.
The Green Archers also turned up the pressure and forced 18 turnovers which were quickly converted into 15 points to get their title retention bid going on the right note.
On the other hand, the Bulldogs bowed to La Salle once more, as the former squandered a twice-to-beat advantage against the latter in last season's Final Four.
This, despite counting four players in double-digits led by Tebol Garcia and Kenshin Padrones who each had 14 points. Mo Diassana chipped in a 12-marker, 12-rebound double-double, as lead guard Jumamoy stuffed the stat sheet with eight markers, eight boards, and six assists.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 89 - Tovera 22, Pablo 16, Dungo 12, Cortez J 9, Abadam 9, Amos 6, Daep 4, Macalalag 3, Kulang 2, Gagate 2, Marasigan 2, Cortez M 2, Sardon 0
NATIONAL U 87 - Garcia 14, Padrones 14, Diassana 12, Palacielo 10, Jumamoy 9, Francisco 8, Reyes 8, Alfanta 5, Laconsay 5, Cartel 2, Tulabut 0, Figueroa 0, Solomon 0
Quarters: 31-24, 52-45, 73-64, 89-87
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