Archers shoot down Lions, go for sweep in PCCL

Games Monday (Ynares Arena)

2 p.m. – La Salle vs FEU

4 p.m. – NU vs San Beda

MANILA, Philippines – La Salle held San Beda to a single field-goal basket in seizing control in the third quarter and roared to a 61-56 win to inch closer to getting a shot at back-to-back crowns in the National Collegiate Championship at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig Friday.

Jeron Teng delivered 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks in a sterling all-around game and Ben Mbala stood his ground in his marquee matchup with Ola Adeogun as the Green Archers nailed a third straight win after sweeping two games in the Cebu swing of the Elite Eight stage.

The reigning champs try to avoid complications of any tie as they go for a sweep of their Elite Eight assignments versus the Far Eastern U Tamaraws Monday also at the Ynares Arena.

The Red Lions, the NCAA five-peat champs, held sway most of the first half but suddenly lost their bearing, missing 19 field attempts before ending a long dry spell on a basket made by Ryusei Koga on a three-on-one attack with 1:24 left in the third period.

After falling behind by 14 at 37-51, the Lions tried to wage a comeback on a pressing defense but ran out of time, missing a follow-up on their triumphant debut versus the University of San Carlos Warriors in Cebu.

They’re now hard pressed to win their last two games against the National U Bulldogs and the Arellano U Chiefs to get a crack at making the finals of this tournament that they haven’t won despite their dominant run in the NCAA.

The Archers, hoping to be the third team after FEU and Ateneo to win the PCCL at least two in a row, pounced the Red Lions, 19-5, in the third period and played tough to the finish, notching a third win following victories over the University of the Visayas Green Lancers and the Southwestern U Cobras.

Baser Amer, Art dela Cruz and Pierre Tankoua capitalized on La Salle’s lapses, working on a 10-3 run that brought San Beda back into the game at 47-53 with over seven minutes left to play.

But Prince Rivero, Mbala and Teng put back order in their game a little later, and La Salle held on to the end, coming through with the crucial win in this tournament sponsored by ABS-CBN, Phoenix Petroleum, The Philippine Star, Molten Balls, Fil-Oil Flying V Sports, Fog City Creamery and Foccacia.

San Beda led by seven points in the second quarter but La Salle caught up at 32-all at halftime.

From the halftime break, the Archers unleashed a 15-2 attack in an eight-minute period where they held the Lions to two free throws.

The Lions missed 19 straight field attempts in a nine-minute stretch starting late in the second quarter.