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Thu 28 March 2024

San Beda, DLSU forge do-or-die PCCL Thursday matches

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After tough opening day assignments less than 24 hours ago, UAAP champions De La Salle University and NCAA champions San Beda College made Thursday’s matches a do-or-die knockout for spots in the best-of-three title series.

sidebar-pcclWith Arnold Van Opstal back in their fold, La Salle pinned down Far Eastern University, 80-60, in the featured match of the second day of the Philippine Colegiate Champions League Final Four round robin.

In the first game, San Beda pounced on a lackluster start by Southwestern University to run away with a 77-49 rout.

Both matches pitting SWU against FEU in the first game, and La Salle versus San Beda in the second game on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan City are now knockout matches, as all four teams now sport identical 1-1 records entering the final day.

Despite only finishing with two points and six rebounds in 16 minutes of play, Van Opstal’s inside presence alone intimidated the upstart guards of FEU to stop their vaunted dribble-drive offense.

However, the lanky ex-Zobel Bengal hobbled off the floor and complained of the hip injury sustained in practice that kept him off the Green Archers’ tournament opener.

Leading La Salle’s their cause was Matt Salem, who chipped in 17 points on 3-for-4 shooting with nine rebounds and a blocked shot, and Jeron Teng adding 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

Anthony Hargrove piled on 12 points and 13 rebounds in a losing cause against their Final Four opponent in Season 76. Mike Tolomia struggled to find his form, finishing with just four points on 2-for-15 shooting from the field.

The Cobras, who had to endure an overtime match against the defending UAAP titlists a day earlier, were completely outscored 23-7 in the first quarter, led by the twin tower combo of Ola Adeogun and Kyle Pascual, who combined for 12 of the Red Lions’ points in the period.

Adeogun led the way with 22 points, 11 rebounds and three swats, while Kyle Pascual added 14 in their romp of the Cebu powerhouse.

Landry Sanjo was the lone double-digit scorer for SWU with 13 points. Mark Tallo failed to produce the same form from a day earlier, scoring just two points on 1-for-7 shooting in 27 minutes.



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