Last year, the De La Salle University Green Archers broke all sorts of Premier Cup records en route to winning the 2016 tournament. In the very first for this year’s tournament though, another record was broken. But it is not the record they wanted to break.
For the first time since coach Aldin Ayo took over the Green Archers, La Salle was defeated in the premier pre-season league as the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers pulled off a stunning upset, 85-81, in Group A action Monday afternoon.
Tey Teodoro led the Heavy Bombers assault 17 points powered by three triples. Sophomore Jed Mendoza racked up 15 markers, five rebounds, and three assists.
“I keep on telling them prior to this game against La Salle, sabi ko sa kanila na nothing to lose for us, nothing to lose for us and everything to gain for JRU and kayo,” JRU head coach Vergel Meneses said. “Marami kayong matutunan against La Salle because they are a champion team. So, nag-respond naman sila by playing. The effort was there, by playing great defense.”
Darius Estrella had 11 points and four boards, while MJ Dela Virgen got 10 markers, three rebounds, and three dimes for the JRU.
JRU almost squandered a nine-point lead, 81-72, with 4:28 to play but made the shots when it mattered with Gio Lasquety drilling a long two from the left corner at the two-minute mark to break their dry spell. A split from the free throw line by burly forward with 12.5 seconds left, and hauling the crucial rebound to preserve the stunning victory.
“Well this pre-season tournament, itong FilOil is good for us. Makikita namin how far we go as a team. We play a good game, maybe La Salle played a bad game, di ba. We worked hard for it, my guys worked hard for it that’s why we deserved to win,” Meneses, who did not join the tournament last year, furthered.
Ben Mbala led La Salle with 22 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks. Sophomore Aljun Melecio had 17 markers on a 2-of-11 shooting from threes, to go with five assists and three boards in the defeat.
JRU looks to ride the momentum they got from this game when they face the UE Red Warriors on Sunday, May 7 at 11:15am. La Salle, on the other hand, takes on the Perpetual Altas on the same day at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
JRU (85) – Teodoro 17, Mendoza 15, Estrella 11, Dela Virgen 10, Grospe 8, Lasquety 7, Abdulwahab 6, Poutouochi 4, Sawat 4, Bordon 3, Mate 0.
DLSU (81) – Mbala 22, Melecio 17, Rivero R. 13, Tratter 9, Rivero P. 7, Montalbo 5, Caracut 2, Santillan 2, Capacio 2, Go 2, Gonzales 0.
Quarterscores: 21-17, 42-42, 62-63, 85-81.
