Andrew Pamorada | FCF

With the monumental collapse during their first round meeting still fresh in their minds, the Green Archers made sure that there would be no more late-game lapses this time.

De La Salle University foiled another fourth quarter resurgence by Far Eastern University to score a 75-66 victory in Sunday’s UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball main game at the Mall of Asia Arena.

First year forward Jason Perkins led the charge with 18 points and 13 rebounds, supported by sophomore swingman Jeron Teng who tallied 16 points and nine rebounds.

The Green and White five made their move midway during the second quarter by erecting a 22 point lead through a 17-2 surge that broke the game wide open. Matt Salem, Jason Perkins, and Almond Vosotros connected on four of DLSU’s five three-pointers for the ballgame.

However, the Tamaraws made several spurts in the match, including a 12-2 blast reminiscent of their previous encounter, but could not get over the hump.

Despite the hard-earned result, head coach Juno Sauler was still underwhelmed with the way the Green and White five played.

“I’m not really satisfied with how we played. We still have to do a better job all throughout 40 minutes,” said Sauler following the match. “I’ve been telling my players to be mentally tough, mentally prepared. It was the mental toughness and mental focus that pulled this through.”

Roger Pogoy and Mark Belo topped all Tamaraws with 16 points each, while Terrence Romeo added 12 points, five rebounds, and three steals to his name in FEU’s first losing streak of the season.

RR Garcia failed to find his rhythm, limited to just five points on 2-for-7 shooting in 28 minutes on the court, following an illness that hospitalized him a day following their loss to NU.