La Salle Escapes FEU, Advances to NSAC Semifinals
De La Salle University survived a tough challenge from Far Eastern University and escaped with an 84-83 victory to secure a semifinal berth in the NSAC College Basketball Campus Tour.
The matchup turned into another back-and-forth battle as neither team managed to create significant separation throughout the game. Every run was quickly answered, setting up a tense finish between two UAAP rivals.
The game also marked the collegiate debut of reigning UAAP Boys’ Basketball MVP and Finals MVP Cabs Cabonilas for the Tamaraws.
Jacob Cortez orchestrated the offense for DLSU and earned Best Player of the Game honors after posting 15 points and 11 assists. Andrei Dungo added 13 points, while JC Macalalag contributed 12 markers for the Green Archers.
FEU countered behind the efforts of Kirby Mongcopa, who finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Rojan Montemayor added 12 points and six rebounds, while Janrey Pasaol chipped in 10 points.
Neither side led by much for most of the contest as both teams traded baskets deep into the fourth quarter.
The Green Archers eventually found their breakthrough late after Cortez attacked the defense and earned a trip to the free-throw line. The DLSU guard calmly knocked down both free throws to give La Salle the slim lead in the closing seconds.
FEU still had a chance to steal the win on the other end, but the Tamaraws were unable to convert in the closing seconds as the Green Archers held on.
DLSU finished with 22 assists and 19 fastbreak points, while FEU controlled the paint with 36 points inside and kept the pressure on until the final possession.
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