LA SALLE MAKES IT THROUGH DEFENDING CHAMPION FEU
By Maxine Louise Lagman
September 8, 2016
CROWD favorite to win the UAAP men’s basketball title this year, La Salle, had a rough UAAP debut game against defending champion FEU. The Archers barely survived, as they held on the fourth quarter and finished off with 83-78 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite La Salle’s 16-point lead in the third, the Tamaraws were quick to score, tying 74-all with only four minutes left in the game.
FEU reminded La Salle that claiming the UAAP title will not be easy, as five Tamaraws scored double digits and seven others scored at least 7 points.
Ron Dennison led the Tamaraws with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Jojo Trinidad added 12 points and 3 assists while Monbert Arong had 11 points.
“That was a hard-fought game, and we hadn’t played for almost 3 weeks. Yung last tune-up namin hindi natapos. So there’s the rust factor, and decision-making. Especially on our defense and in the endgame,” said DLSU Head Coach Aldin Ayo.
Jeron Teng, however, did not disappoint his supporters with his towering 28-points, 6 rebounds and one steal.
Ben Mbala, after serving one-year suspension and two-year residency, helped La Salle claim victory in his UAAP debut, with 13 points, 23 rebounds and 4 blocks in just over 34 minutes.
Ayo said that their second game against UP will gain a lot more pressure for the players, but they just have to do their best and to work on defensive and offensive plays needed to be worked at.
COMPLETE PHOTO GALLERY – 1Rnd MBTÂ – DLSU Green Archers vs. FEU Tamaraws
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