De La Salle University rookie Jeron Teng’s arrival in the UAAP was highly anticipated—and he lived up to every expectation.
Teng scored 15 points, taking charge of crucial possessions, in his first college game as the Green Archers survived a last quarter comeback by the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 73-68, on opening weekend at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Both teams were off to a slow start, committing several turnovers and missing from the field. The Archers, anchored on guard Luigi dela Paz, forged ahead in the second quarter and was up by six, 35-29, at the half. DLSU continued to have the upper hand in the third canto, 56-46, outscoring the Maroons, 21-17.
Team captain Mike Silungan scored from beyond the arc, bringing the Diliman squad within six, 64-58, in the fourth quarter. Returning player Alvin Padilla also sank a big three-pointer to narrow La Salle’s lead to a point under the five-minute mark. Silungan scored 18 points coupled with five rebounds, while Padilla had seven points. UP rookie Henry Asilum also came up big, with 12 points in his debut game.
In the end, La Salle prevailed, with Teng stepping up in the last few possessions and converting them perfectly. The Archers will face off against the University of the East Red Warriors on Thursday, July 19, while the Maroons will battle it out with the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers who also lost their first game, on Saturday, July 21.
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University opened up their title defense with a resounding 73-57 runoff victory over Adamson University. Greg Slaughter dominated the post with 17 points, while Nico Salva added 14.
BOX SCORES
First game
DE LA SALLE (73): N. Torres 16, Teng 15, Revilla 15, Andrada 10, Dela Paz 9, Mendoza 6, Webb 2, Van Opstal 0, Paredes 0, Vosotros 0, Gotladera 0, Tallo 0, Manguera 0
UP (68): Silungan 18, Asilum 12, Lopez 10, Soyud 8, Padilla 7, Manuel 5, Ball 4, Romero 2, Hipolito 2, Wierzba 0, Montecastro 0, Gamboa 0, Gallarza 0
Quarters: 17-16, 35-29, 56-46, 73-68
Second game
ATEN
EO (73): Slaughter 17, Salva 14, Ravena 9, Sumalinog 6, Buenafe 6, TIongson 5, Erram 5, Chua 4, Gonzaga 3, Golla 2, Elorde 2, Porter 0, Pessumal 0, Lim 0, Capacio 0.
ADAMSON (57): Brondial 13, Nuyles 12, Camson 10, Cabrera 10, Cruz 4, Monteclaro 3, Trollano 2, Etrone 2, Cabigas 1, Julkipli 0, Agustin 0, Abrigo 0.
Quarters: 15-16, 32-28, 55-45, 73-57
