La Salle beats FEU for a 6-3 record (for Aug 19)

La Salle Edges Out FEU For Solo Second

De La Salle University had a breath of fresh air, bucking a near collapse against of Far Eastern University, 74-66. The Green Archers led by as much as 15, 70-55, with a Ferdinand tip in, 4:46. However, FEU did not let the game away that easy as it trimmed the gap to six with Jon Alisbo finding Marlon Adolfo for a three-pointer from near the top of the arc, 66-72, more than a minute to go. That was the nearest the Tamaraws got with Cholo Villanueva sealing the game with two freethrows from separate trips.

“It was a test of character on our team,” said DLSU coach Franz Pumaren. “We rose to the occasion right now. It is a good win.”

Jvee Casio led with 16 points, going 9/10 at the freethrow area. He also passed off four times and stole the leather thrice. Rico Maierhofer woke up with 13 markers, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, while TY Tang made 12 and eight feeds.

As a team, the Taft-based squad shot only 4/22 from the arc with a total 35.9% overall accuracy. It made up in the hustle board with 19 fastbreak and 21 turnover points, while dishing 21 assists. The whistles blew Taft-ward as well, getting called for only 20 fouls against FEU’s 28.

Marnel Baracael scored 20 points on 7/12 two-point shooting for Far Eastern, going along with eight boards, two steals, and a block. Adolfo and Ric Cawaling were good for ten each, while Reil Cervantes was a point shy of a double-double with 14 rebounds.

De La Salle put behind the embarrassing defeat it suffered from rival University of Santo Tomas a week ago. The green and white are in solo second with a 6-3 standing. FEU is tied with UST at 5-4.

“There is always a first time,” Pumaren looked back. “It was actually a painful lesson but a good experience for us.”

The Archers have a busy week ahead with Adamson University on August 23 at the Araneta Coliseum and University of the Philippines on August 25 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. On the other hand, the green and gold would contend against Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday.

“Each game is important, especially ranking second to fifth. It is neck and neck,” the older Pumaren mentioned. “Parang traffic jam. At this stage, our destiny in entering the final four is in our hands. We are not dependent on other teams.”