LA SALLE may have lost two of its sharpest arrows, but the green-and-white bow is as dangerous as ever.
Four Green Archers wound up in double-digits, as their total team effort at both ends proved to be more than enough to get the better of red-hot University of the Philippines, 72-69, in the middle of the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday
In the first meeting in UAAP Season 88 between the finalists of the last two years, La Salle got a much-needed breakout game from ex-Fighting Maroon Luis Pablo, as well as heroics from Earl Abadam and Vhoris Marasigan to help overcome the absences of injured Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan.
The Green Archers now stand at 4-3, all even for fourth alongside fiercest foe Ateneo and modern-day rival State U.
La Salle aim still true
While there may have been assumptions Amos and Baclaan-less La Salle would struggle against UP, which was on a four-game winning streak, the green-and-white proved otherwise, as they kept coming in the contest that featured nine deadlocks and nine lead changes.
"This game is for Kean and Mason. We knew that coming to this game, we weren't just gonna lay down, we weren't just gonna give it to them," said veteran guard Abadam.
It was Abadam who hit a tough fadeaway with under two minutes to go to tie the tally at 66-all. After Terrence Fortea fired a long-range missile for a three-point Fighting Maroons lead, he again had the quick counter to make sure the Green Archers stayed alive and kicking.
La Salle's defense took it from there, as it allowed no more makes, while Marasigan and Mike Phillips both found the bottom of the net to give their side just enough breathing room.
"It's really a character game. We just competed, valuing each and every possession was very important. Obviously, the guys just didn't give up," said head coach Topex Robinson.
Pablo top-scored for La Salle with 14 points on top of six rebounds to backstop yet another double-double for Phillips with 12 markers and 10 boards. Jacob Cortez and EJ Gollena also added 12 points apiece, as Abadam and Marasigan had nine and five to their names, respectively.
After an up-and-down start to their redemption campaign, the Green Archers won back-to-back for the first time heading into the second round, where National U and University of Santo Tomas are continuing to set the pace.
Harold Alarcon paced UP with 13 points to go along with eight rebounds, seven assists, and two steals, as Gerry Abadiano, Francis Nnoruka, and Fortea each chimed in 12 markers.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 72 – Pablo 14, Cortez 12, Phillips 12, Gollena 12, Abadam 9, Marasigan 5, Dungo 4, Daep 2, Macalalag 1, Nwankwo 1.
UP 69 – Alarcon 13, Abadiano 12, Nnoruka 12, Fortea 12, Remogat 7, Stevens 4, Bayla 2, Torres 2, Belmonte 2, Alter 2, Palanca 1, Yniguez 0, Briones 0.
Quarters: 20-27, 46-41, 57-60, 72-69
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