La Salle, UE win over Cebu foes

CEBU, Philippines - The La Salle  Green Archers blew hot and cold and needed to ward off an endgame rally to scrape past the University of the Visayas, 61-56, at the Cebu leg of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premiere Cup played at the Mandaue City Sport Complex last Friday night.

In the other collegiate game featuring a Manila versus Cebu, the University of the East Red Warriors conquered the University of San Carlos, 76-68.

The defending champions called on game-long brilliance of Jason Perkins and the composure of its veterans who stepped up in the fourth quarter to douse a UV rally in the closest game of the Cebu leg thus far. Down 46-39 at the start of the fourth quarter, UV staged a rally that saw them take the lead at 52-51 on a putback by Cris Perolino.

But Jason Perkins calmly sank two free throws to give La Salle back the lead for good at 53-52. After Raffy Octubre cut the lead anew to only one, 55-54, Perkins scored to make it 57-54 with 1:34 ticks left in the game. Octubre responded again to slash the lead down to one, 57-56, with 1:20 left in the game but Arnold Van Opstal scored on a putback for a 59-56 lead with 1:03 remaining.

UV eventually sealed its fate when it committed two costly turnovers in the last 45 seconds. Leonard Santillan was called for an offensive foul, while Perolino lost the ball on an inbound play from the sidelines. Almond Vosotros and Jeron Teng scored a free throw each for the final tally.

La Salle was in control of most of the game, taking a slim 32-30 halftime lead which was stretched to 46-39, setting the stage for the UV comeback that fell short. Perkins led the Green Archers with 22 points, missing only four attempts from the field (9/13 shooting). Perolino led UV with 14.

In the other Manila-Cebu duel, the University of the East  defeated the University of San Carlos, 76-68, in a game that featured two teams with the same monicker “Warriors.”

UE was in total control of the match and had the luxury of fielding all 15 players that made the trip to Cebu. They cruised to a 50-30 halftime lead which went up to 69-45 at the end of the third quarter.

USC’s bright moment was when it staged a comeback in the fourth quarter, limiting UE to only seven points, but the closest USC could get was at eight points at 75-67 and the final score. Bong Galanza led UE with 19 points as Roy Sumang added 11. Shooster Olago led USC with 27 points and 14 rebounds.

 The Cebu leg of the tournament resumes today at the Hoopsdome where La Salle faces USC at 1pm, while Southwestern University goes up against UE at 3pm. (FREEMAN)