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Jeron Teng was on his usual self in his final year for La Salle, firing for 28 in their opening win over FEU.
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By Kevin Estrada
PASAY--Despite living to their expectations as overwhelming favorites for the title, De La Salle University were pushed to the limit on their opening game of the UAAP Men's Basketball tournament early Wednesday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.
In another nip-and-tuck affair, it was the Green Archers who prevailed after 40 minutes over reigning titlists Far Eastern University, 83-78. Graduating guard Jeron Teng put up a monster performance with 28 points on the strength of 52% clip from the 2-point area.
Ben Mbala supplanted the co-captain with a double-double in his UAAP debut on 13 points and 23 rebounds, 10 of them from the offensive end, as Aldin Ayo got the better of Nash Racela for their opening win of the season.
Despite the loss, the Tamaraws displayed balanaced scoring as five of them hit double digits, with Ron Dennison leading them with 13 points, as sophomore slotman Prince Orizu also had a double double of his own with 10 markers and 10 boards.
La Salle dominated almost all statistics after the save for turnovers, second chance points and bench points among others.
Both teams engaged in a first quarter shootout earlier on, as they trade baskets until the Green Archers piled a 8-0 run to end the canto with a 3 point lead thru Abu Tratter, Jollo Go and Kib Montalbo.
Former Juniors MVP Aljun Melecio then took over the second quarter, firing eight of his 10 points in that quarter to extend La Salle's lead to eight heading into the half time break.
DLSU did not let up in the third quarter, with an Prince Rivero bucket extended their biggest lead at 16 before FEU fired a 15-2 run in the last six minutes to reduce their deficit to just three points.
FEU pressed on at the start of the fourth as Joe Trinidad manages to tie the game at 74 on a teardrop with 3:39 to go.
However, Jeron Teng had the final say the rest of the way, as he dropped his final 8 points, including a midrange jumper with 1:37 to go to close out this tight game between two title favorites.