Basketball
Vosotros tows La Salle past UP
InterAKTV/Roy Afable
Guard Almond Vosotros waxed hot late in the game, firing 13 of his 21 points in the final period to carry La Salle to a 76-69 victory over University of the Philippines in UAAP Season 75 action Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
After scoring just one point in the first half, Vosotros exploded for 20 points in the last two quarters to tow the Green Archers to a 7-4 win-loss record and tighten their grip on the fourth spot in the standings.
“Good things happen to those who really work hard,” La Salle coach Gee Abanilla said about their victory.
La Salle controlled the game early, taking a 41-34 lead at halftime led by forward Jeron Teng’s 16 points.
But UP fought back in the third quarter, as pesky guard Henry Asilum sparked a 14-4 run to help UP grab a 48-45 lead midway through the period.
La Salle then scored nine unanswered points led by Vosotros to give La Salle a 54-50 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Vosotros took over for La Salle in the final period, scoring 10 points to start the quarter and carry the Green Archers to their biggest cushion at 11, 69-58, with over four minutes left in the game.
UP tried to claw back after forward Mike Silungan hit a triple in the 2:30 mark to trim their deficit to six, 72-66.
Vosotros, however, rifled a triple off an inbound play to increase La Salle lead up to nine points, 75-66, with 1:48 left in the game and secure the victory for La Salle.
Teng scored 19 points for La Salle, while center Norbert Torres contributed 13 points and five rebounds.
Silungan led UP with 14 points.
