La Salle Downs San Beda In PCCL Final Four

In the highly-anticipated duel of two great champions, UAAP champion De La Salle Green Archers came out with the last laugh after clobbering NCAA titlist San Beda Red Lions, 64-60, in their Philippine Collegiate Champions League semifinal showdown on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan.

Jeron Teng played superbly to finish with 23 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, but it was Almond Vosotros who generated key plays that sealed the victory for the Taft-based squad.

Moreover, DLSU launched a spectacular 11-2 assault in the final five minutes of the game to complete their come-from-behind win.

The Archers found themselves trailing by five points, 58-53, with less than five minutes left in the game, before Jeron Teng took over by scoring a tightly-contested layup that chopped San Beda’s lead to three, 58-55.

In the next play, Jason Perkins muscled his way to the paint to put the Archers within one point, 58-57, with less than two minutes remaining in the match.

Adeogun failed to convert on the other end, opening the door for Jeron Teng’s and-one play that gave them a 60-58 advantage with 1:38 left in the game.

Adeogun had another crack at the basket, but he misfired again from close range.

Then came the heroics of Vosotross, who buried a tough mid-range jumper to give the Archers a comfortable 62-58 edge.

Vosotros also got the most important offensive rebound of the night and dished a picture-perfect pass to Jason Perkins, who scored underneath with 6.8 seconds left to put the nail in the coffin.

Despite being known as a stoic tactician, La Salle coach Juno Sauler expressed his elation in their triumph. “You saw how badly the guys want to win, and I’m happy to see them do the right things at crunch-time,” he said.

San Beda wounded up in fourth place because of their loss against FEU who virtually finished third.

Art Dela Cruz led San Beda with 19 points and five rebounds. Baser Amer added 15 points and six rebounds, while Ola Adeogun had 14 points and 13 rebounds.

source: Interakyon/GMA News

photo courtesy:  Interakyon