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| Jeron Teng came up big again as DLSU won its second game in UAAP Season 75. (image by Joseph Nebrida/GoArchers.com) |
DLSU GREEN ARCHERS over UE RED WARRIORS, 67-59
When UE’s Adrian Santos hit a short stab to cut the deficit to a solitary point, 50-51, with less than 7 minutes left, not a few La Sallians probably felt a little anxious. Perhaps they entertained thoughts of their team succumbing to the same jarring fate that befell their archrivals earlier in the day.
Instead, they witnessed the second installment of the evolving Jeron Teng saga.
After Santos trimmed the gap to just 1, Teng scored 5 points in a decisive 12-0 run in the fourth quarter that all but negated UE’s spirited challenge. The resulting 13-point La Salle lead was the biggest of the game, as neither team was really able to breakaway before that juncture.
UE was actually the first team to scatter a bunch of points, leading 8-3 mid-first period. Mainly behind Teng and fellow rookie Thomas Torres, however, the Archers rallied and ended the quarter enjoying a 2-point lead, 13-11.
Thanks to Santos and the brilliant play of former Letran Squire Roi Sumang, the Reds of coach Jerry Codiñera stuck to DLSU, always within striking distance. Sumang was awesome again in this game as he scored 20 points on top of 5 boards, 3 dimes, and 3 triples. His timely hits in the second and third stanzas prevented the Green & White from pulling away. The prolific guard, though, never scored again after hitting a three late in the third canto.
De La Salle did such a good job limiting Sumang in the last 10 minutes that, technically speaking, he didn’t contribute anything to the UE cause in the fourth period. That is, unless you count one missed shot and one turnover as significant contributions.
In contrast, Sumang’s green counterpart, LA Revilla, was once again quite impressive. Revilla picked up from where he left off last Sunday, hitting shots, grabbing rebounds, and distributing the ball. Overall, the La Salle playmaker remained steady with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists while shooting 2-of-2 from rainbow country. He did, however, commit 4 turnovers.
One curious thing was Norbert Torres playing just 13 minutes because of foul trouble. Last week’s best big man scored just 3 points on 1-of-4 FG shooting, while collecting just 4 caroms and 1 assist. Jovet Mendoza and Arnold Van Opstal, though, shored up the middle quite well, combining for 16 markers and 13 rebounds all in all. What this shows very clearly is that La Salle’s frontline is more than just Torres’s bulky physique.
For UE, it’s also quite clear that Roi Sumang is the be-all and end-all of the Warriors. He is to the Recto squad what LA Tenorio once was for the early 2000s Ateneo teams. Sumang is at an unenviable position, having to both score and distribute the ball in quality fashion. I doubt he’ll be able to score 20+ points in every encounter, but he will be a significant factor, and constant headache, in every game for UE. Their next game? The Soaring Falcons on Saturday.
Yes, it’s just two games in for La Salle, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist, nor an armchair analyst, to see that Jeron Teng looks to be as good as advertised. New ABS-CBN Sports commentator Charles Tiu mentioned in the telecast how scoring is the best thing Teng does. La Salle can count on him to score aplenty this season, and, more importantly, the Greenies can also count on the young former Xaverian to be someone the Archers have sorely lacked the past few seasons – a consistent clutch performer, a guy who’ll give DLSU a chance to win in every game.
Throughout the past three or four seasons, ever since JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer both graduated, there has seemed to be a leadership vacuum in the La Salle roster. With Teng in the fold and playing without the requisite nerves lesser rookies are bound to have, it looks like the Taft five may have found its new leader – a leader who may not be very vocal (leave that to Revilla), but a leader who won’t shy away from the critical moments (in fact, Jeron seems to chase after these moments).
Maybe it’s still too early to name Teng as the new King Archer, but it’s easy to see he is exactly what La Salle has been looking for.
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| Adrian Santos's double-double wasn't enough to tow the Warriors to victory. (image by Ralph Samson/FullCourtFresh.com) |
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| Thomas Torres was a spark off the bench for the Green Archers. (image by Ralph Samson/FullCourtFresh.com) |
Scores:
DLSU 67 – Teng 16, Mendoza 11, Revilla 11, Torres T 7, Van Opstal 5, Vosotros 5, Dela Paz 4, Torres N 3, Andrada 2, Tampus 2, Manguera 1, Paredes 0, Gotladera 0, Webb 0
UE 59 – Sumang 20, Santos 14, Javier 6, Olayon 5, Galanza 5, Villarias 3, Sumido 2, Razon 2, Mena 2, Belleza 0, Valdez 0, Hernandez 0, Flores 0, Duncil 0
QS: 13-11, 29-22, 43-39, 67-59
Notable Performers:
Jeron Teng (DLSU) – 16pts, 5rebs, 1ast
Roi Sumang (UE) – 20pts, 5rebs, 3asts, 3 treys, 1blk
Adrian Santos (UE) – 14pts, 14rebs, 2blks
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