The DLSZ Junior Archers survived a final quarter onslaught by the National U Bullpups to emerge victorious and to secure a second finals berth meeting with the twice-to-beat UST Tiger Cubs.
By: Geoff Latayan
For the past three seasons, the DLSZ Junior Archers has never placed lower than third place and for this season, the streak continues as they outlasted the National University Bullpups, 57-54 in the stepladder playoff held Sept. 7, at the Flying V Arena, San Juan.
Gabriel Reyes, fresh from his 29 point outburst against FEU-FERN, poured in 10 of his 17 points in the third quarter to the Junior Archers, who survived a fourth quarter run by National U before pulling through.
Leading by 14, 53-39 approaching the fourth quarter thanks to Reyes’ eight straight markers to conclude an 8-0 third quarter spurt, the Junior Archers got the scare of their lives in the fourth.
The Bullpups caught fire as the quartet of Rafael Atangan, Jonel Parungao, Roque Estoce and Kevin Banquiao exploded to launch a fierce rally to cut the lead to one, 54-55, 2:15 remaining in the fourth.
DLSZ standout Alexander Torres, who scored seven points, scored the only field goal for the Junior Archers in the fourth quarter, 9:07 remaining before they went on a seven minute scoring drought.
Reyes would split his charities as he was fouled by Atangan to increase their lead to two, 56-54 in the final two minutes of the game.
Both teams defended solidly in the final minutes as they traded bricks. The Bullpups had a last chance to score but Estoce and Atangan muffed their twinners with nine seconds remaining as DLSZ’s Torres rebounded the miss and was fouled by Estoce.
Torres would make a split to make it 57-54 for the Junior Archers.
Parungao tried to send it to overtime with a desperation attempt for three but missed thus giving the Junior Archers the win and an encounter with the UST Tiger Cubs for the second finals berth starting Sept. 11.
The Junior Archers will have its hands full though as the Tiger Cubs had a twice to beat advantage after blasting the Bullpups in their playoff game for second last Sunday.
The winner of the Junior Archers-Tiger Cubs affair will face automatic finalist Ateneo Blue Eaglets, who will have a thrice to beat advantage after sweeping the elimination phase.
Mikee Capacio scored 12 to support the Junior Archers while Estoce led the Bullpups with 17 points.
The Scores
DLSZ 57 – Reyes 17, Capacio 12, Tempongko 8, Torres A. 7, Monteiro 5, Roxas 4, Concepcion 2, Torres N. 2, Subido 0, Calugcug 0.
NU 54 – Estoce 17, Parungao 10, Atangan 10, Tansingco 6, Lara 6, Banquiao 5, Rivero 0, Meneses 0, Caparas 0
Quarterscores: 14-8, 30-26, 53-39, 57-54
