Korea U opens PH tour with win against La Salle

Ivan Saldajeno

By Ivan Saldajeno

SAN JUAN CITY, MM--Reigning Korean collegiate basketball champions Korea University Tigers began their series of tune-ups in the Philippines with an 88-77 win against the De La Salle Green Archers at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

The Tigers opened the game with a barrage of triples from Moon Seong-Gon.

But the Green Archers stayed firm and kept the Tigers' lead to three, 21-18, at the end of the first quarter.

Korea U looked to pull away late in the second period as the team stretched its lead to double digits.

But Andrei Caracut ended the half with a heave from almost the full length of the court to keep La Salle within striking distance, 36-43.

The Tigers again threatened to pull away as they led by 12 late in the third.

The Green Archers, however, crawled back and even took a 70-69 lead in the fourth.

Moon, however, sparked the game-ending 19-7 run by Korea U with back-to-back triples to cap a 24-point night. He also grabbed 12 rebounds and four steals along with three assists. Overall, the Tigers made 19 three-pointers.

Matt Salem made 16 points on four three-pointers and seven rebounds for La Salle, which saw Jeron Teng being limited to three points.

In his first game for the Archers, Caracut finished with 12 markers.

According to a member of the coaching staff, the team will be here for two weeks and will have Ateneo, NU, and some PBA teams next in its schedule.