The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers bombarded the still listless Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates with 12 three pointers in a blowout win, 90-69, Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
The LPU Pirates were without Jeb Bulawan and Dexter Zamora for this game as Bulawan had a cut above his eye during their last game against EAC while Zamora was nursing an injury. For the Green Squad, only ten Archers suited up.
The game started with the two teams exchanging baskets as LPU’s Wilson Baltazar and DLSU rookie Jollo Go led their squads to an 8-all deadlock. It was all DLSU soon after when new recruits Go, Caracut, and Torralba combined for ten points in a 16 to seven run that gave the Green Archers a 24-15 lead to end the quarter.
The Green Archers continued their three-point barrage in the second quarter led by Andrei Caracut’s hot shooting who scored six points in the quarter, both three-point shots. Kib Montalbo and Joshua Torralba joined the barrage and connected with three pointers of their own. The Pirates never got it going on defense even if they put up 17 points in the quarter while allowing 24 points. The Archers held a sixteen point lead, 48-32, going to halftime.
The lead grew further in the third quarter for the Green and White squad and by the end of the game, the Archers were able to put up 90 points on the scoreboard while only allowing 69 for their opponents.
The DLSU Green Archers connected with 12 three pointers on 36% shooting from downtown. Moreover, compared to their last game against San Beda College, DLSU outrebounded their opponents 51-42.
After the game, Coach Juno Sauler, even if they outrebounded LPU, was still disappointed with the way his team boxed out. Moreover, the 33 three-point attempts DLSU attempted was something Coach Sauler would allow his team to take at any given day. “Majority of their shots were open. I’d rather have the team take 50 open three point attempts compared to taking five contested ones,” the stoic coach told us after the game.
The Archers were led by Andrei Caracut’s 15 points with three three pointers. Abu Tratter had an excellent outing with 10 points and eight rebounds. On the other side, Jean Nguidjol scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds while fellow front court player Joseph Gabayni had 14 points and eight rebounds.
The DLSU Green Archers will face the UP Fighting Maroons on Friday, May 8 at 5:00pm while the LPU Pirates will look to win their first game of the tournament on the same day as they face the SBC Red Lions at 3:15pm.
The Scores:
DLSU 90 – Caracut 15, Torralba 13, Go 11, Tratter 10, Rivero 10, Navarro 8, Teng 8, Perkins 8, Montalbo 5, Pascual 2.
LPU 69 – Nguidjol 16, Gabayni 14, Baltazar 9, Mbida 8, Sunga 7, Malabanan 7, Taladua 3, Marata 2, Alanes 2, Caduyac 1.
| TEAMS | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH |
| DLSU (B, 1-1) | 24 | 48 | 73 | 90 |
| LPU (B, 0-3) | 15 | 32 | 52 | 69 |
