The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers relied on their three-point sniping to swing the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors to their first loss of the tourney, 96-82, in the 2015 FilOil-FlyingV Hanes Premier Cup at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
UE started well in the first quarter, leaving DLSU trailing most of the time. DLSU, on the other hand, did not let the Red Warriors get away with a double-digit lead; but their efforts in the offensive end were not enough as UE finished the quarter ahead by five, 29-25.
The Green Archers notched up their defense in the next frame, getting physical with their fellow UAAP opponents. Their tactics seemed to have little effect, as UE was still able to score down the stretch. However, DLSU upgraded their offensive rhythm, catching up against UE. The first half ended with the ballgame tied at 48.
DLSU, through their torrid shooting from downtown, outscored UE 22-2 to post their biggest lead, 70-50, with less than five minutes left. But the Red Warriors fought back, scoring off perimeter jumpers andlay-ups to spark a 12-4 run to close out the frame still behind, 74-62.
The Recto-based cagers finally got back on their rhythm, inching within six, 84-78, with less than four minutes to go. DLSU, sensing how dangerous UE is, doused off their opponents’ offensive firepower through back-to-back triples from Andrei Caracut and Thomas Torres before the two-minute mark. From then on, DLSU never looked back, scoring six more points to secure their third straight victory.
The rookie Caracut paced DLSU with 21 points, 12 in the first half, highlighted by five treys. Paolo Rivero had 15 markers and 5 boards, while Joshua Torralba and Jason Perkins had 12 and 11, respectively.Edson Batiller led UE with 18 markers in their first loss of the pre-season.
DLSU and UE will have Southwesten University Cobras as their opponents next week. The Green Archers will face the Cobras next Saturday, May 23, while the Red Warriors will have them on May 29.
The scores:
DLSU 96 – Caracut 21, Rivero 15, Torralba 12, Perkins 11, Teng 9, Muyang 8, Montalbo 6, Torres 5, Van Opstal 4, Go 3, Navarro 2.
UE 82 – Batiller 18, Charcos 11, Awana 11, Gonzales 9, Manalang 8, Javier 7, Abanto 7, De Leon 4, Gagate 2, Cudal 2, Cruz 2, Penuela 1.
