Vosotros, La Salle down Adamson with another heartbreaker

By Josiah Albelda Posted Aug 14th 2013

One more heartbreaker.

De La Salle University got the better of Adamson University once more with a thrilling 70-69 overtime escape in the 76th UAAP men's basketball tournament second round Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Trailing by a solitary point with 14.1 seconds left, the Green Archers leaned on a basket by Almond Vosotros with 1.8 seconds remaining to strike yet another heartbreaker into the Soaring Falcons' hearts.

The game-winner capped what was a splendid night for Vosotros as La Salle evened its record to 4-4.

"It was a lucky shot," Vosotros said. "I just went for the offensive rebound and I took the shot."

The streaky guard delivered 19 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Archers, who endured a rusty shooting night from star forward Jeron Teng.

Adamson had the golden chance to win the game in regulation but botched it and with another opportunity to seal it in overtime, the Falcons proved not to be up to the task.

Leading 69-68, Adamson point guard Ryan Monteclaro threw the ball away after penetrating the defense, passing to no one as the season hosts gave La Salle a last shot.

LA Revilla missed a jumper from the right baseline in the ensuing play, but the Archers hustled for the board, with Vosotros getting the ball for one more try.

Vosotros hesitated and passed to an unsuspecting Arnold van Opstal in his first attempt, but recovered the loose ball and threw the dagger that bounced four times before finding the bottom of the net.

Van Opstal finished with 13 points, Teng added nine markers and six rebounds while Norbert Torres helped out with eight points and seven boards as La Salle bucked the absence of Luigi dela Paz and Thomas Torres, who were out with the flu.

The loss wasted a monster effort from Rodney Brondial, who had the best game of his career with 19 points, 23 rebounds and two blocks.

Jericho Cruz and Roider Cabrera contributed 26 markers but combined to shoot a paltry 12 of 27 from the field.

The scores:

DLSU (70) - Vosotros 19, Van Opstal 13, Teng 9, Torres 8, Perkins 6, Revilla 5, Tampus 4, Salem 3, Montalbo 3, Reyes 0

Adamson (69) - Brondial 19, Cruz 15, Cabrera 11, Trollano 9, Petilos 6, Monteclaro 5, Sewa 2, Julkipli 1, Agustin 1, Rios 0, Ochea 0, Cabigas 0, Bernabe 0, Abrigo 0

Quarters: 14-16, 34-30, 52-47, 62-62, 70-69