Archers put Bulldogs on leash

Joseph Yeo responded in the affirmative while playing on borrowed time as La Salle survived a stubborn challenge by National University, 92-85, in overtime to gain a share of the lead in the UAAP basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym yesterday.

Stepping up in the absence of skipper Mark Cardona, Yeo scored 17 points, including a triple with 1.2 seconds left in regulation play to force the overtime.

Tyrone Tang, a former Xavier player in high school just like Yeo, and rookie Mark Benitez took the cue in extension play, hitting clutch baskets as the Archers avoided an upset by the Bulldogs and, in the process, drew level with the FEU Tamaraws in the lead on identical 4-1 win-loss records.

"It’s more of a statement that we can sacrifice a game just to drive home a point to a player," said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren after the game they played minus Cardona, whom he benched as a disciplinary action for reporting late in practice Friday.

The Bulldogs had an opportunity to clinch the game but Bryan Tolentino muffed the rear-end of two crucial charities.

The Archers gained the defensive rebound and went to Yeo for the triple that sent the game into overtime.

Rey Mendoza’s ouster on fouls and Froilan Baguion’s exit on cramps hastened the Bulldogs’ loss. NU suffered its fourth loss against a lone win.

Ronnie Cajayon led all scorers with 21 points including three treys in the fourth quarter

Ateneo weather a late charge by University of the Philippines as it escaped with a 70-68 win for solo third place in the second game.

A defensive gem by Larry Fonacier on Rob Bornancin in the closing seconds clinched Ateneo’s fourth win against two losses. UP fell to 0-4.