UST survives DLSU in overtime

By Donjie Carreon Posted Jun 30th 2013

Pido Jarencio, head coach of the University of Sto. Tomas, promised before Season 76 began that his team will be a box office draw.

In its opening game, UST showed why it’s worth watching as it escaped the De La Salle University in overtime, 63-58, in a thrilling but error-prone game on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The game was again billed as battle of the Teng brothers, and UST’s Jeric clearly won this one. Jeric led the Tigers with 23 points and added six rebounds to best younger brother Jeron, who fouled out with less than minute remaining in regulation with just 10 points and six rebounds. Jeron, last year’s Rookie of the Year, also committed seven turnovers.

The older Teng also received support from center Karim Abdul, who finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Rookie Jason Perkins and Almond Vosotros each had 13 points to lead La Salle’s scorers.

Overall, both teams were sloppy with the ball as UST had 19 turnovers, while DLSU committed 24.  Each side could also not shoot straight from the field as UST’s 35.4% just slightly better than DLSU’s 30.6%. The Tigers we also off from three point range as they failed to convert 13 attempts, while DLSU needed 26 shots just to make five.

Despite the bad play from both sides, the game had an exciting finish.

With 11.7 seconds remaining in regulation, Perkins converted an 18 foot-elbow jumper to tie the game. UST had a chance to win the game, but Jeric Teng was off on his jump shot near the foul line.

UST immediately pounced in overtime, as Abdul scored on a short stab and converted three free throws to build a 56-51 lead. LA Revilla then responded with a lay-up to put La Salle on the board. Teng answered with a turn around baseline jumper to return UST’s led at five, but Vosotros made a three to put the count at 58-56, 1:33 left in the extension period.

Teng made two free throws to increase UST’s lead, but Perkins again converted a lay-up  to give La Salle a chance. UST’s Aljon Mariano though finally shut the door on any comeback as he made three free throws, while La Salle committed a turnover on its last attempt.

In the second quarter, UST unloaded a 14-0 run behind Teng and Abdul for a 28-15 lead, but DLSU scored five straight points to narrow the gap at halftime.

The Scores

UST 63- Teng, 23, Abdul, 17, Bautista, 6, Mariano, 5,  Ferrer, 5, Pe 3, Hainga, 2, Daquioag, 2, Lo, 0

DLSU 58- Vosotros, 13, Perkins, 13, Teng, 10, T. Torres, 7, N. Torres, 6, Reyes, 4, Revilla, 4, Va Opstal, 1, Tampus, 1, Bolick, 1

Quarter Scores: 10-12, 28-20, 40-34, 51-51, 63-58.