Teng, Perkins lead as La Salle clobbers UP

By Josiah Albelda Posted Jul 3rd 2013

What Jeron Teng started, Jason Perkins finished.

Powerhouse De La Salle University unleashed its potent offensive attack in overwhelming hard-fighting University of the Philippines, 96-84, in the 76th UAAP men's basketball tournament Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Their lackluster play in their loss to University of Santo Tomas behind them, the Green Archers started out strong and ended the game with a couple of mighty finishing kicks to take the life out of the game Fighting Maroons.

Teng began the match with aplomb, leading La Salle to a 14-2 advantage in the first six minutes as they asserted their might against UP's brittle defense.

"Coach (Juno Sauler) wants a fast-paced game," said Teng, as the Archers scored the most points in a UAAP match in the last four years. "We are still adjusting to his system."

Riding on torrid shooting from three-point range, the Fighting Maroons did not budge and stayed within striking distance for most of the game, coming to as close to 78-74 after a Henry Asilum triple late in the fourth.

However, back-to-back baskets by Almond Vosotros and Luigi dela Paz built an 88-77 lead for the Archers before a Sam Marata triple made it 88-80.

Then Perkins went to work.

Doing a solid job on the boards, the Minnesota native scored eight straight points, six of them off second-chance opportunities, as La Salle buried UP with finality, 96-80.

The Archers got contributions from virtually every player fielded in, with seven players finishing with at least six points and five posting double-figure outputs.

Perkins and Teng led La Salle with 20 points each, with Perkins also hauling down 14 rebounds as the Archers gored the Maroons on the boards, 51-32.

Vosotros added 15 markers while Norbert and Thomas Torres chipped in with 14 points apiece.

On the other hand, Marata produced a game-high 21 markers but even 14 three-pointers from UP could not deliver them a first win over the Archers since 2009.

Rookie Kyles Lao became the first freshman to end up in double figures this season with 18 points. Asilum finished with 12.

The Scores:

La Salle 96 – Teng 20, Perkins 20, Vosotros 15, N. Torres 14, T. Torres 14, De La Paz 7, Van Opstal 6, Bolick 0.

UP 84 – Marata 21, Lao 18, Asilum 12, Suarez 9, Ball 8, Soyud 5, Pascual 3, Ligad 3, Gallarza 3, Desiderio 2, Wong 0, Amar 0.

Quarters: 24-19, 48-44, 76-67, 96-84.

La Salle 96 – Teng 20, Perkins 20, Vosotros 15, N. Torres 14, T. Torres 14, De La Paz 7, Van Opstal 6, Bolick 0.

UP 84 – Marata 21, Lao 18, Asilum 12, Suarez 9, Ball 8, Soyud 5, Pascual 3, Ligad 3, Gallarza 3, Desiderio 2, Wong 0, Amar 0.

Quarters: 24-19, 48-44, 76-67, 96-84.

La Salle 96 – Teng 20, Perkins 20, Vosotros 15, N. Torres 14, T. Torres 14, De La Paz 7, Van Opstal 6, Bolick 0.

UP 84 – Marata 21, Lao 18, Asilum 12, Suarez 9, Ball 8, Soyud 5, Pascual 3, Ligad 3, Gallarza 3, Desiderio 2, Wong 0, Amar 0.

Quarters: 24-19, 48-44, 76-67, 96-84.