02 October 2013, 9:00 p.m. – THE UST Growling Tigers survived De La Salle University in a 73-72 thriller to take Game 1 of the UAAP Finals and move a win closer to the basketball championship at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
The Green Archers had a chance to steal the game after the Tigers turned the ball over on the inbound with 29.1 seconds left. But Almond Vosotros missed a three-pointer while LA Revilla’s follow-up got blocked by UST’s Karim Abdul as time expired.
“They could have won, we could have won, and we did. It’s really an even match,” coach Pido Jarencio said.
Kevin Ferrer lifted UST with a three-pointer in the last 41.6 seconds for a 73-69 lead, but Jeron Teng answered with an and-one play for La Salle at the other end. It was the last bucket for the Green Archers, who played catch up for most part of the game.
The Tigers started the game with an 18-0 run and held on to a 23-13 lead at the end of the first frame.
The Green Archers took the lead, 54-50, at the start of the final period, but Jeric Teng and Ferrer teamed up for eight quick points to give UST a 58-56 edge.
When Jeron Teng tied the count at 58 with a layup, the Tigers turned to Karim Abdul, who finished with 19 points and 12 boards.
Ferrer led UST with 20 points on five of eight three-point shooting. Teng added 17 markers, including clutch points in the payoff period.
When the Green Archers erected a 16-2 spurt to tie the game at 25 in the second period, Teng held them off with nine-straight points to protect a 34-27 lead.
“There is really no substitute for championship experience,” said Teng.
And if his players came prepared in Game 1, Jarencio said they would be “more ready” come Game 2, which is set on Oct. 5, 2:30 p.m., also at The Big Dome.
Awarding ceremonies will take place at 2 p.m.
Almond Vosotros steered La Salle with 20 points while Jeron Teng finished with 15 points. Paul Kennedy A. Lintag
BOX SCORES:
UST 73 – Ferrer 20, Abdul 19, Teng 19, Sheriff 6, Daquioag 4, Bautista 3, Mariano 2, Lao 2, Pe 0, Lo 0
DLSU 72 – Vosotros 20, Teng 15, Van Opstal 13, Perkins 11, T. Torres 7, Revilla 4, N. Torres 2, Tampus 0, Montalbo 0, Reyes 0, De La Paz 0
Quarter scores: 23-13; 38-31; 50-54; 73-72.
