Green Archers fall to UP in FilOil EcoOil 17th Preseason Cup opener
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers launched their campaign in the FilOil EcoOil 17th Preseason Cup with a hard-fought match against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, falling short with a final score of 77–89, yesterday at the FilOil EcoOil Center.
With the reigning UAAP champions retaking the court, they had a back-to-zero mindset. JD Cagulangan sparked the Maroons’ offense, but Mike Phillips retaliated swiftly for the Archers. At a deadlock of 4-all in the 9th minute, Francis Lopez effortlessly sank a layup, nudging UP ahead by two. As the clock hit 5:20, Sean Torculas added to the tally, 9–15. Sean Alter then contributes a two-pointer, followed by a powerful three-pointer from Harold Alarcon, expanding UP’s lead to 23–13. Kevin Quiambao offers vocal support to his teammates, but La Salle struggled to keep up with UP’s formidable offense for a while. Mark Belmonte extended the lead to 29–15 with just 1:49 left on the clock before Jonel Policarpio narrowed the gap with a layup. Aside from CJ Austria’s challenges against Kingsley Ududo, Policarpio managed another layup, reducing the lead to ten. The first quarter soon concluded with a 22–31 scoreboard.
Quiambao opened up the second canto with a decisive three-pointer, setting the tone at 27–31. Cagulangan followed suit with a three-pointer of his own before Quiambao continued to make an impact through strong rebounding. At the 4:21 mark, a turnover by Cagulangan almost led to a score, but Phillips denied him with a crucial block, placing the score at 37–36. Doys Dungo added to the tally by maneuvering past Belmonte and Ududo, securing points in the third minute. From there, Henry Agunanne of La Salle evened the score with a clutch three-pointer, making it 41-all. Nevertheless, Cagulangan swiftly responds with a three-pointer of his own, widening separation the separation. Alarcon then closed out the second quarter with a scoring drive past Policarpio and Abadam, extending the lead to 41–46.
In the beginning of the third quarter, Ududo denied Phillips’ dunk attempt, before Ogana added to the score, 43–47. JC Macalalag then smoothly sank a shot, narrowing the lead further. Jerry Abadiano grabs a rebound and effortlessly lays it in, only for Austria to swiftly respond with an identical layup for the Green Archers. Quiambao tips the ball in, followed by Agunanne’s powerful dunk, reducing the lead to just one, 53–54, with 5:09 left on the clock. As the intensity increased, Agunanne capitalized on free throws awarded from Belmonte’s foul, leveling the score at 56-all. Policarpio adds a crucial three-pointer, putting La Salle ahead by two. Lopez managed to score, but Agunanne quickly retaliated. Alter manages an easy dunk, but Agunanne matches it with one of his own, assisted by Josh David, bringing the score to 64–65. From there, Abadam shot a three-pointer to give the Archers the lead, but a final easy basket by Ernest Felicilda put the score at 66–69, heading into the last ten minutes of the match.
Reyland Torres and Lopez ignited the fourth quarter with a powerful dunk, swinging momentum in favor of the Maroons, 66–73. However, Phillips quickly responded with a layup, narrowing the gap to five points. With 8:18 remaining, Ududo effortlessly tipped the ball into the net, but Phillips sank a three-pointer, to place the score at 71–77. Austria then scored off a smooth shot off the backboard to continue to chip at the lead for the Archers. As tensions rose on the court, Lopez sank in a crucial three-pointer, making it difficult for the Archers to close the gap, before Marasigan retaliated promptly with a jumper. With 1:37 left, Cagulangan adds another three-pointer to maintain the Maroons’ ten-point lead. La Salle attempted to score in the last few sequences but was ultimately unsuccessful. The final buzzer soon sounded, granting UP the victory, 77–89.
The Green Archers will look to get their first W of the tournament against the UST Growling Tigers on May 17, 5 PM, at the same venue.
Quarter Scores: 22–31, 41–46, 66–69, 77–89
