Archers survive pesky Falcons to enter UAAP finals

MANILA, Philippines — De La Salle University had one last hurdle before returning to UAAP basketball’s grandest stage.

And they shot it down Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena after beating Adamson University, 69-64, in a tight game that featured 12 ties.

Jeron Teng, who is looking to close his final year with La Salle with a crown, paced the Archers wit 25 points. Ben Mbala, this year’s runaway Most Valuable Player, added  21.

Teng who committed seven errors in the game, made up for nine points 11 in the final period.

The Falcons, who were in an uphill battle against the league-leading Archers, mounted a valiant stand behind Sean Manganti who finished with 13 markers. Rob Manalang provided 12 more to go with Papi Sarr’s 11.

Adamson’s loss to this season’s favorites caps off a stellar run orchestrated by comebacking UAAP coach Franz Pumaren, who is behind the Green Archers’ multiple championships in the 2000s.

The Falcons were tagged as this year’s dark horse and they weathered opposing teams like one up to Wednesday night’s action.

The Archers will still have to wait for their final foe, which is yet to be determined in the clash between the No. 2 Ateneo de Manila University and the defending champions Far Eastern University.

La Salle's last trip to the finals was in 2013 under Juno Sauler, where they beat the UST Growling Tigers in three games.