The De La Salle Green Archers banked on a strong second half to stop the FEU Tamaraws from sweeping their virtual best-of-3 UAAP semifinal affair with a 94-73 win at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Green Archers actually got off to a good start as they immediately opened a double-digit advantage at the end of the first quarter, 24-14.
But the Tamaraws fought back in the second quarter, putting a stifling defense on the Archers to chop their lead to as low as four, 31-27, late in the period.
But free throws helped La Salle pull away anew in the third canto as they made 16 charities to reestablish the double-digit lead, 63-47, entering the fourth.
FEU imploded further in the payoff period as La Salle increased its lead to as high as 23 and never looked back to force a knockout game on Wednesday for one of the two slots in the finals.
After a cold night the last time out, Jeron Teng bounced back with a 25 point, seven rebound, three assist performance to lead the Green Archers, who won over the Tams for only the first time this season.
Mac Belo had a career-high 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting including four triples for the Tams.
But he virtually had to do it on his lonesome as Mike Tolomia, who usually goes hot against the Archers, was limited to only seven.
Box Scores:
La Salle 94-Teng 25, N. Torres 18, Vosotros 17, Sargent 11, Perkins 8, Van Opstal 4, Montalbo 3, T. Torres 3, Rivero 2, Salem 2, Mustre 1, Andrada 0
FEU 73-Belo 32, Tolomia 7, David 7, Inigo 6, Tamsi 6, Jose 5, Cruz 4, Pogoy 2, Hargrove 2, Ugsang 2, Lee Yu 0, Dennison 0, Ri. Escoto 0, Delfinado 0, Denila 0
Quarterscores: 24-14, 34-27, 63-47, 94-73
But the Tamaraws fought back in the second quarter, putting a stifling defense on the Archers to chop their lead to as low as four, 31-27, late in the period.
But free throws helped La Salle pull away anew in the third canto as they made 16 charities to reestablish the double-digit lead, 63-47, entering the fourth.
FEU imploded further in the payoff period as La Salle increased its lead to as high as 23 and never looked back to force a knockout game on Wednesday for one of the two slots in the finals.
After a cold night the last time out, Jeron Teng bounced back with a 25 point, seven rebound, three assist performance to lead the Green Archers, who won over the Tams for only the first time this season.
Mac Belo had a career-high 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting including four triples for the Tams.
But he virtually had to do it on his lonesome as Mike Tolomia, who usually goes hot against the Archers, was limited to only seven.
Box Scores:
La Salle 94-Teng 25, N. Torres 18, Vosotros 17, Sargent 11, Perkins 8, Van Opstal 4, Montalbo 3, T. Torres 3, Rivero 2, Salem 2, Mustre 1, Andrada 0
FEU 73-Belo 32, Tolomia 7, David 7, Inigo 6, Tamsi 6, Jose 5, Cruz 4, Pogoy 2, Hargrove 2, Ugsang 2, Lee Yu 0, Dennison 0, Ri. Escoto 0, Delfinado 0, Denila 0
Quarterscores: 24-14, 34-27, 63-47, 94-73
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