La Salle clawed back from 20 points down to nip University of the Philippines, 73-72, and keep its bid for the last semis berth alive with a 5-7 card. The Archers need to sweep their last two games and hope that UST (7-5) drop their remaining two to forge a playoff for the No. 4 slot.
La Salle had a lethargic first half, allowing State U (2-11) to seize leads as high as 33-13 in the second. But Norbert Torres (15 points) and Almond Vosotros (12) led their second-half assault to get back and eventually open up a 72-65 cushion, 1:28 left.
“There was no confidence at all at the start, especially after our four (successive) setbacks. Fortunately, the boys didn’t want to give up and they regained their confidence in the second half,” said La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren.
The Archers will try to reach seven wins against NU on Thursday and FEU on Sunday. But if the Tigers post win No. 8 against either FEU on Thursday or NU on Sunday, UST will march to the semis.
“We still have a chance no matter how slim, but we’ll grab it,” said Pumaren. – Olmin Leyba