The La Salle Green Archers completed a golden double as they added the Philippine Collegiate Champions League title to their haul for this year after they outlasted Cebu’s very own Southwestern University (SWU), 70-61, in Game Two of the finals series yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.
Though the Cobras put up a gallant stand in trying to come back from yet another double-digit deficit, the Archers simply had too much firepower and went on to claim their first PCCL crown since 2008.
Jeron Teng, who was eventually named as the tournament’s MVP, led the way for La Salle with 16 points, four rebounds and five assists – the last one feeding Jason Perkins for a dagger of a basket when the Cobras threatened to within just seven points with under a minute left.
Almond Vosotros added 15 while Perkins finished with a double-double of 14 markers and 10 boards as the Archers completed the sweep after winning Game One, 64-54, last Monday.
The Cobras kept close until the second period when the Archers unleashed an 11-2 run that gave them a 30-15 lead in the second period. La Salle eventually brought a 34-22 lead into halftime.
The Archers’ run though was somewhat stunted in the third as they lost starting guard Thomas Torres, who was ejected for a disqualifying foul on Monbert Arong. Still, La Salle maintained their composure and remained ahead, 53-42, after Perkins completed a three-point play at the buzzer.
The Cobras had one last fight in them and were within only five, 51-56, when forward Daryl Goloran was called for his fifth foul. To make matters worse, Goloran was called for a technical foul as he was on his way to the bench. That set the table up for a 12-0 Archers run that gave them a 68-51 lead with 2:47 remaining.
Sanjo paced the Cobras with 16 points and 13 rebounds while Mark Jayven Tallo finished with 15 points and eight assists. Goloran had 12 while Arong chipped in 10 more.
SWU got a measure of consolation as Tallo and Sanjo made it to the tournament’s Mythical Five joining Teng, Perkins and Vosotros.