source: Koji Lorenzo Echeminada | philstar.com

La Salle showed last night it can win big games with small men as the Archers’ sentinels came through with big plays down the stretch to power the team to a stirring come-from-behind 77-74 victory over the fancied Ateneo Eagles in the Filoil Flying V Tanduay First Five Pre-Season Invitational Cup at The Arena in San Juan last night.

Rookie Almond Vosotros delivered two pressure-packed charities that turned out to be the marginal baskets for the Archers, who bounced back from an embarrassing loss to the UP Maroons the last time out with an inspiring victory over their arch rivals.

La Salle thus improved to 3-1 while dealing Ateneo its first loss after back-to-back victories in the tournament presented by Mighty Bond Extreme with major sponsors Total Phils., Filoil, Flying V, San Marino Corned Tuna, Accel and Hanesbrands, the official outfitter.

“Right now, the team is like a security agency. We have a lot of guards,” said La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren in jest. “But I’m glad they all delivered.”

Earlier, Kirk Long, fouled by Yutien Andrada while attempting from the three-point range, flubbed one of three free throws that could have tied the match with 11 seconds remaining in the contest which the Eagles dominated majority of the way.

The Eagles actually had the chance to send the game into overtime but Eman Monfort misfired at the buzzer.

However, Pumaren, who registered the win against Ateneo in his debut as La Salle coach, opted to downplay the victory.

“They (Eagles) are not yet in shape and (Eric) Salamat and (Ryan) Buenafe were far from their top form,” said Pumaren. “Knowing coach Norman (Black), they will peak in due time.”

According to Pumaren, the team is set to leave for Chicago on May for a two-week training and conditioning, especially for their guards.

“Right now, we are a small team and we need a big guy but wer’e very happy with what’s happening right now ,” said Pumaren, whose wards bowed to the taller Maroons last week.

The Blue Eagles held a nine-point lead, 65-56, at the 6:35 mark, but Sam Marata, Luigi dela Paz and Vosotros combined to tie the match at 70, including Dela Paz’s trey.

Vosotros led the Archers with 13 points, while Joshua Webb had 12 and Ferdinand and Dela Paz each tossed in 11 points.

“Everybody did their part. This is also the first time that we outrebounded our opponent in this tournament, so it only showed their desire to win,” Pumaren said.

Earlier, University of the East got back at Far Eastern University, 78-72 in a rematch of last year’s finalists.

But the Warriors, coached by Lawrence Chongson and Mark Herrera, had to do it the hard way, battling back from 16 points down in the early going before forcing a 56-all count after the third.

Paul Lee and James Martinez provided the spark for the Warriors in the final period, scoring four straight triples to beat the fading Tamaraws.

The scores:

First Game (Srs)

UE 78 – Lee 22, Martinez 14, Reyes 11, Acibar 9, Zamar 6, Santos 5, Casajeros 5, Enguio 2, Ayala 2, Sumido 2, Resopa 0, Razon 0, Belleza 0, Noble 0, Duran 0, Flores 0.

FEU 72 – Garcia 22, Cervantes 14, Bringas 14, Romeo 7, Sanga 5, Noundou 4, Exciminiano 4, Knuttel 2, Manalo 0, Cruz 0, Ortueste 0,Guerrero 0, Latonio 0, Mendoza 0.

Quarterscores: 12-28, 35-42, 52-52, 78-72.

Second Game (Srs)

La Salle 77 – Vosotros 13, Webb 12, Dela Paz, Ferdinand 11, Marata 7, Andrada 6, Tampus 5, Banal 4, Atkins 4, Villanueva 2, Mendoza 2, Elorde 0, Paredes 0.

Ateneo 74 – Buenafe 14, Escueta 11, Salva 10, Monfort 9, Salamat 9, Long 9, Tiongson 7, Burke 4, Golla 1, Austria 0, Dechavez 0, Gonzaga 0, Chua 0

Quarterscores: 18-22, 38-42, 55-61, 77-74

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