Basketball
Teng drops 35 as La Salle escapes NU in 2OT thriller
InterAKTV/Roy Afable
Star rookie Jeron Teng exploded for 35 points to help La Salle survive National University, 87-86, in double overtime in UAAP Season 75 action Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Teng also grabbed six rebounds and two assists to lead his team to its fourth win in seven games.
“I wasn’t looking to score talaga but I have to step up,” Teng said. “It’s really a blessing yung game ko ngayon, parang swerte na rin.”
The former Xavier standout’s heroics saved La Salle from a collapse. The Green Archers led by as much as 12 points in the third quarter, before a furious NU rally closed the gap.
A three-pointer with just 0.7 second remaining by Bobby Ray Parks, who matched Teng’s output with 35 points, forced the first overtime, 69-all.
La Salle led in the first extra period, with Teng scoring a layup and a three-pointer to give the team a 79-75 lead at the 1:01 mark. But Parks helped NU rally again, nailing a putback and two free throws that forced another overtime period.
La Salle opened the second overtime with two three-pointers from guard Almond Vosotros and Teng to build a comfortable 85-79 gap, from which NU couldn’t recover. Parks hit a three-pointer at the buzzer for the final tally.
“We’re very happy about the win,” La Salle coach Gee Abanilla said. “We’re one of the teams to utilize the rookies and it’s a good learning experience for them.”
Vosotros chipped in 18 points for La Salle.
Parks added seven rebounds to hism total, while Jet Rosario registered 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead
the Bulldogs, who dropped into a tie with La Salle in the standings with a 4-3 win-loss record.
