Green Archers down UST Tigers to tie UAAP Finals series, 1-1

The La Salle Green Archers sent the UAAP Finals to a deciding Game Three as they defeated the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 77-70, in Game Two yesterday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Archers got off to a fast start and raised leads of as many as 17 then stood their ground and repulsed every single comeback attempt by the Tigers to win and forge a sudden-death Game Three next Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jeron Teng scored 12 of his 19 points in the first period to ignite the sizzling run of La Salle. Jeron’s brother, Jeric, had 28 for the Tigers, who are aiming to become the first fourth-seeded team to claim the championship since the Final Four format was adapted.

The Archers, who are trying to end a title drought that has spanned five years, took advantage of the foul trouble woes of UST’s top big man Karim Abdul as Norbert Torres and Arnold Van Opstal wreaked havoc for La Salle in the shaded lane.

The Archers dominated the rebounding department, 57-39, with 27 offensive rebounds resulting to 18 second chance points that caused problems for UST.

“Everyone played well, especially the bigs,” La Salle’s Juno Sauler told Inquirer.net.

UST found its way back in the game after it got to within a point, 43-44, after a pair of triples from Jeric Teng and Clark Bautista with 7:21 left in the third quarter.

The Archers restored order as they stretched their lead back to 13, 71-58, on a drive by Jeron Teng with 6:53 remaining and never looked back.

Kevin Ferrer, the hero in UST’s 73-72 win in the finals opener last Wednesday, never got into any rhythm with just six points after starring with 20 points. /with reports from inquirer.net