The DLSU Green Archers took their Wednesday UE lessons seriously and this time, took care of business.
No more let ups and gimme’s. The Green Archers bolted out of the gates ready to bludgeon the winless FEU Tamaraws. And with a swift 14-0 blast in the first quarter, they did just that by slaughtering FEU 87-70 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
And this was achieved despite the absence of Motor Mike Phillips and sprint king Mark Nonoy.
After Schonny Winston poured in La Salle’s first four points, the aura was clear, no fooling around this time. From an early deficit of 2-4, Winston, Ben Phillips, and CJ Austria blazed the Morayta squad with a 14-0 run by negating everything FEU wanted to run. No fastbreaks for LJ Gonzales and no space for the dribble-driving Patrick Sleat. The DLSU defense was ready for every Olsen Racela play.
Leading the first quarter 18-10, the Archers kicked the green machine into second gear and went on a 9-2 run early and stretched the lead to 25 at the end of the first half, 50-25 through superb ball movement, air-tight defense and great shot selection.
After the halftime break, the Green Archers wanted more than just firm control of the game decided to crush them some more and built a 31-point lead at one point via Winston wrap-around pass to Captain Jaoaqui Manuel. Although FEU started to hit some shots in the fourth, this never threatened the Taft boys as they closed the game out with Kevin Quiambao skippering La Salle home safely to improve their record to 3-2.
Winston led the greens with his 23 points and 14 boards plus 5 assists showcasing his all-around skills while super rookie Quiambao came out big 16 markers, 8 rebounds and 4 dimes in his most impressive game so far. Captain Joaqui Manuel had a season breakout with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assista and had the highest +/- at +17.
The Green Archers were also more zeroed in from the field shooting an impressive 40% and literally ran FEU out of the gym by winning the fastbreak duel 14-6.
The Green Archers will face current frontrunner National U Bulldogs at 11am at the MOA Arena on Wednesday.
