Archers buck slow start, shoot down Maroons

MANILA, Philippines – La Salle started like a house divided but finished like a house on fire, nipping University of the Philippines, 86-65, to join idle Ateneo at the top with 7-2 Saturday in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tourney at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

The defending champions waited until the third quarter to go full throttle, feeding on the energy of sub Abu Tratter to wiggle free from a 40-39 contest and unleash a 17-4 salvo that set the foundation for their seventh straight victory.

Tratter fired all of his seven points in the penultimate period to jumpstart the Archers’ break-away even as starters Almond Vosotros, Jeron Teng and Jason Perkins took the cue and joined in the 28-19 quarter that swayed the momentum to DLSU.

“I think the guys weren’t ready to play, weren’t focused mentally in terms of what we wanted to achieve on our game plan defensively and offensively. Aside from the lack of focus at the start, our energy level was really down,” rued coach Juno Sauler.

“Abu, when he came in the third, brought a lot of energy and it rubbed off on a lot of players. That’s when we picked up,” he added.

Vosotros fired a season-high 21 points spiked by five triples as Teng put in 15 markers, six rebounds and five assist and Perkins had a double-double of 13 points and 11 boards. Arnold Van Opstal marked his return from an Achilles injury by shooting 12 markers with eight caroms.

Despite falling behind, 6-17 in the first, the Maroons pounced on the Archers' listless effort and fought their way back in at 28-all in the second. The Maroons stayed within a manageable level until the midpoint of the third, 41-44, before the Archers took command for good.

“We can’t afford to start this way. I didn’t like how we started, especially the lack of mental concentration. It’s unacceptable,” said Sauler.

JR Gallarza (18 spiked by four treys) and Mikee Reyes (14) led the scoring while Mark Juruena posted 12 rebounds, nine points and nine dimes for UP, which suffered its second consecutive setback for 1-8 overall.