Green Archers succumb to NU
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers faced their second defeat in the 17th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup after succumbing to the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 52–81, earlier today at the FilOil EcoOil Center. Despite the loss, La Salle move on to the Quarterfinals of the tournament.
The game kicked off with the Bulldogs securing the first possession at 9:30, when Omar John scored the opening points with an effortless tip-in, to which Kevin Quiambao quickly responded to level the score at 2–all. The teams showcased defensive and offensive prowess, but Jake Figueroa broke through the defense, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to six points at the 7:42 mark, making it 2–8. Henry Agunanne sought to shift the momentum with a dunk for the Archers but while the Taft-based squad struggled to find their rhythm midway through the quarter, the Bulldogs’ lead expanded to 5–13 following a timeout. With 4:15 remaining, Quiambao attempted to ignite a comeback with a dunk to narrow the gap. Meanwhile, a precise pass from Lian Ramiro to EJ Gollena further reduced the deficit to 13–21 with two minutes left in the first quarter. And despite Jonnel Policarpio’s contributions in dying minutes of the first quarter, NU’s Donn Lim was there to counter swiftly using the backboard for an easy basket to conclude the first quarter with the Bulldogs in the lead 15–28.
Looking to bounce back, the second quarter began with Vhoris Marasigan scoring points and attempting to regain momentum for the Archers. CJ Austria also stepped up to demonstrate his determination to lead and support his team as they trailed. But with the Bulldogs securing a ten-point lead at 5:38, with the scoreboard flashing 22–32, the Archers struggled with missed passes, poor communication, and slow defense. Despite these challenges, Jake Gaspay managed to score a three-pointer at 2:55 cut the lead to 27–35 for the boys in Green and White. Meanwhile, NU capitalized on the Archers’ fouls as the latter's defense gradually improved and began to challenge the Bulldogs’ offense. Unfortunately, free throws and turnovers expanded the Bulldogs’ lead to 15 points, ending the first half with a score of 28–43.
Coming off the heated first half of the match, the third quarter started quite slow for both teams, but Steve Nash Enriquez attempted to control the game’s tempo for NU. A few minutes later, it was Quiambao who broke the scoring drought with an easy tip-in at the eight-minute mark, bringing the score to 30–43. But Enriquez remained ready to nail a three-pointer at 7:07, followed by Patrick Yu’s three-point play that challenged the Archers’ defensive strategy, which extended NU’s lead to 30–54. Raven Cortez responded with a three-pointer at 4:45, narrowing the deficit to 21 points, but Yu quickly countered with another three-pointer. With 3:53 remaining, Enriquez sank a three-pointer from the center, boosting the lead to 25 points. With two minutes left, an assist from Policarpio to Quiambao desperately kept La Salle’s scoring alive, 39–60. Policarpio then hit a three-pointer with 1:18 remaining to conclude the quarter at 42–69.
In the final quarter, Policarpio was fouled within the opening ten minutes, and this resulted in a trip to the free throw line where the Green Archer successfully converted one out of two charities. Amidst a series of missed layups, rebounds, and failed three-point attempts from both teams, Quiambao managed to narrow the deficit with a crucial three-pointer at the 8:20 mark, reducing the gap to 45–69. Another three-pointer followed at the seven-minute mark, but Figueroa quickly responded with a straightforward layup. As the game entered its closing three minutes, the defensive momentum of the Archers waned, leaving them scrambling to seize control. With 1:35 on the clock, a late three-pointer by the Bulldogs extended their lead to 50–81, and with a final arrow from the Green Archers, the match ultimately concluded with a final score of 52–81.
The Green Archers will look to bounce back against the San Beda Red Lions on June 8, 6 PM, at the same venue.
Quarter scores: 15–28, 28–43, 42–69, 52–81
