DE LA SALLE flirted with disaster before pulling off a 67-63 squeaker over defending champion National University (NU) to start its Season 78 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball on a high note on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Jeron Teng saved the Green Archers from the meltdown, hitting four of La Salle’s final seven points, to survive the scare and book the victory.
In the second game, Far Eastern University (FEU) walloped Ateneo de Manila, 88-64, to spoil the debut of former Baby Tams standout Jerie Pingoy.
RR Pugoy unloaded 10 of his career-high 19 points in the first period that allowed the Tamaraws to seize control of the game.
Mac Belo added 16 markers for FEU, which shut down Pingoy in his first game as a Blue Eagle.
Kiefer Ravena led all scorers with 25 points but did not get solid support from his teammates, with Gwayne Capacio the only other Blue Eagle in double figures in scoring with 14.
In contrast, FEU Coach Nash Racela drew 17 points from Michael Tolomia and 16 points and 10 rebounds from Reymar Jose.
Teng finished with 18 points, including a tough banked shot that gave the Green Archers a 64-59 cushion with 23.8 seconds remaining.
Rookie Andrei Caracut had a solid start for La Salle with 13 markers, while Jason Perkins posted a double-double performance with 13 points and 12 rebounds for Head Coach Juno Sauler.
“We have to come out really hard because we knew NU, being the defending champions, would give us a good fight,” said Sauler, who also got 11 points and eight boards from Paolo Rivero.
“They proved themselves even in the fourth quarter when they got back. So I just told everyone to be ready,” he added.
La Salle was in full control of the match, leading by double-digits most of the way, the last at 56-43 with 8:46 remaining in the game.
But Gelo Alolino and JJ Alejandro conspired for an 8-0 run for the Bulldogs to cut the lead to 51-56.
The Green Archers tried to put the game away again, 60-51, but NU scored the next eight points, capitalizing on La Salle’s turnovers, to threaten at 59-60, 1:19 remaining.
Then Teng, the team captain, took charge, hitting two free throws and a difficult jumper to get a five-point separation, under 30 seconds remaining.
“A win is a win. For me, it does not prove anything yet,” said Teng of his heroics in the opening game. “We just need to have fun every game and continue learning. We still have a lot to work on.”
Alolino led the Bulldogs with 16 points, while Alejandro added 15. Aroga finished with nine points and 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs before fouling out in the final minute of the contest.
Sauler credit Abu Tratter for his solid defense on Aroga in the game.
“I think Abu played hard and physical against Aroga that’s why he committed some of the fouls,” Sauler said. “But it’s not really part of the game plan to get him into foul trouble.”
NU, which beat FEU in last year’s finals to end a 54-year title drought, shot six-of-21 from the three-point area.