THE LA SALLE Green Archers were pushed to the hilt by defending champions Far Eastern University Tamaraws but eventually prevailed, 83-78, in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Considered the overwhelming favorites to win the championship this season, La Salle held a 16-point third period lead but nearly threw it all away as FEU came roaring back to tie the game at 74-all.
However, Jeron Teng was there to bail the archers out with several clutch makes, including a pull-up jumper with 1:30 to go and two freethrows half a minute later that gave La Salle a 79-75 lead.
Playing in his final season in the UAAP, Teng finished with 28 points while former Southwestern University reinforcement, Ben Mbala, had a stellar debut with 13 points, a whopping 23 rebounds and four blocked shots.
Former University of the Visayas Baby Lancer Ron Dennison led FEU, which lost its veteran core from last season, with 13 points.
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