Green Archers fail to mount a comeback against FEU
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers fell short on their comeback attempt versus the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 62–67, in the second round of the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The third quarter run from the Green Archers that limited the Tamaraws to only five points, all of which are from the free throws, was not enough as FEU sharpshooters RJ Abarrientos and Patrick Sleat each made a three-pointer that gave a seven-point cushion late in the game. Abarrientos ended with an astounding 21 points with 2 assists and 1 steal scoreline.
In the free throw game with 7.7 seconds left in the clock, Michael Phillips made 1/2 of his free throw attempts to cut the FEU lead to four, 62–66. LJ Gonzales then made 1/2 to put the Tamaraws up by five. Mark Nonoy, however, failed to convert a three-pointer in an attempt to cut the lead to two, allowing the Tamaraws to win their 6th game.
The first frame was an efficient and high-scoring quarter for FEU with a total of 25 points. The Tamaraws were able to score four straight before Bright Nwankwo made DLSU’s first basket. FEU missed several shots after, but managed to get back on their offensive groove when Torres nailed a three, giving FEU a seven-point lead, 3–10. This was the story of the quarter for both teams with FEU making their shots in various ways while DLSU was well affected by the suffocating defense of the Tamaraws, only getting most of their points via free throws.
There was not much difference in the second quarter as the Taft-based squad continued to be inconsistent offensively. Daniel Celzo and Xyrus Torres gave FEU a bucket each to extend their lead to 13. With four minutes remaining, Phillips was able to muscle his way to the basket to cut the Tamaraws lead down to eight. Evan Nelle, Justine Baltazar, and Nwankwo were one of the other bright spots in the offense combining for a total of 20 points to end the first half, 42–29, with FEU leading by 13.
Inconsistency was a huge factor in the first half collapse of the Green Archers as they could not get going in their offensive game, and allowed the Tamaraws to shoot lights out from the three-point area. The men from the Green and White could not find an answer against Abarrientos’ hot hands, who made it rain throughout the match.
La Salle looks to put these two consecutive losses behind as they seek to triumph over the Adamson (AdU) Soaring Falcons on April 28 Thursday 12:30PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Boxscores:
DLSU — Nelle 15, Baltazar 13, Lojera 10, M.Phillips 7, Nwankwo 6, Nonoy 4, Austria 4, Cuajao 3, Manuel 0, B.Phillips 0, Cu 0, Galman 0.
FEU — Abarrientos 21, Torres 14, Sleat 10, Gonzales 9, Ojuala 4, Sajoia 3, Alforque 2, Tempra 2, Celzo 2, Sandagon 0, Bienes 0.
Quarterscores: 15–25, 29–42, 49–47, 62–67
