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| Prince Rivero powered the Archers with a double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds to cap off a productive 36 minutes in the game. Dennis Jerome Acosta/Dugout Philippines |
By Dennis Jerome Acosta
QUEZON CITY--With their season hanging on the line, DLSU played with alot of heart to escape an upset-minded UP side, 72-68 during their UAAP round two matchup.
The Archers were on fire from the get go, playing effectively on both ends of the basketball court, opening the game with a 19-6 run to cap the first quarter.
The Fighting Maroons eventually found their footing, banking on Jett Manuel's steady scoring, and turning to their patented zone defense, limiting DLSU to eight points, as well as pouring 20 of their own, to close the gap 26-27 entering halftime.
Coming off the half, UP contnued their onslaught, even taking the lead 60-57 at one point, despite their rookie Pio Longa being slapped a technical foul for sporting the wrong uniform at the eight minute mark of the third.
However, the Archers, showing their championship calber and heart banked on their experience, as well as the steady play of their team captain Jeron Teng to take back the game, 69-60 with less than three minutes left in the game.
Diego Dario and Jett Manuel were able to score crucial baskets to cut the deficit to 66-69 with under a minute left. But crucial turnovers in the endgame did the Maroons in, as well as four pressure packed free throws which were converted by Jeron Teng.
Teng top scored for the Archers, tallying 20 points, including the last four points for the Archers coming off the free throw line.
Prince Rivero also powered the Archers with a double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds to cap off a productive 36 minutes in the game.
Jett Manuel carried the fight for the State U by scoring 15 points, while Dave Moralde and Paul Desiderio chipped in 14 and 10 points respectively in a losing effort for UP.
After the game, coach Juno Sauler of DLSU lauded the Archers for stepping up and keeping their final four hopes alive. Also, he added that " [DLSU] showed tremendous heart, coming to play today", despite the multitude of injuries suffered by their players.
He further added that they will need to co tinue playing with all their heart as they face FEU on November 18 and that they are not looking all the way to the final four yet but are rather taking things, one game at a time.
Box Scores:
DLSU (72)—Teng 20, Rivero 18, Torres 11, Torralba 8, Caracut 7, Perkins 4, Langston 2, Muyang 2, Go 0.
UP (68)—Manuel 15, Moralde 14, Desiderio 10, Dario 9, Longa 8, Amar 6, Gallarza 2, Kone 2, Vito 2, Harris 0, Jaboneta 0, Juruena 0, Harris 0, Lim 0.
Quarterscores: 19-6, 27-26, 49-52, 72-68.
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