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Defying bigger obstacles, La Salle’s defense worked effectively to claim Game 1.

De La Salle University took advantage of University of the East’s erratic performance in the final period to score a pulsating 64-63 come-from-behind win last October 4, 2007. Moving closer in winning the 70th UAAP men’s basketball title at the Araneta Coliseum.

Using their championship experience and stifling defense to the fullest, the De La Salle Green Archers forced the UE Red Warriors to commit 31 turnovers – including four in the final quarter –and earn a one-game advantage in their best-of-three finals series.

“We relied on our experience to keep everything possible and we made it,� said La Salle long-time mentor Franz Pumaren, who is eyeing to give La Salle its seventh title – fifth under his term – in Game two will be on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at the Big Dome.

“Our defense proved to be a huge factor in today’s game,� he said. “I’m expecting UE will comeback big on Sunday, and we will do everything to get it (title). We have to remain consistent all-throughout the series.�

After a 60-all deadlock in the final 3:03 minutes, the Green Archers banked heavily on a Joseph Casio field goal and 1/2 charities of Cholo Villanueva to post a slim 63-60 advantage with still 51 seconds left.

The Red Warriors’ 6-foot-3 forward Mark Borboran, then, scored a game-tying triple with 34 seconds remaining to forge the game’s 13th deadlock. But fouled Rico Maierhofer in the ensuing play with 14 seconds left to play.

With both teams in penalty, Maierhofer converted 1 of 2 free throws to peg the final count. Borboran’s missed a second shot attempt from beyond the arc with five seconds left. Marcy Arellano’s second chance follow-up rimmed out to the delight of the entire green crowd.

Playmaker Tyrone Tang unloaded 9 of his 17 points in the last period. While Casio finished with 12 points and Villanueva contributed 11 to get the job done.

“Our hustle kept us alive in this game,� said Tang, who shot 4-of-10 in the three-point zone. “They play very fast so we have to be faster.�

University of the East uncorked a blistering 11-2 run late in the first quarter, capped by a basket from Marcy Arellano and Mark Fampulme, to start the second quarter ahead, 20-14.

With Villanueva and Casio responding to their Coach Franz Pumaren’s challenge, La Salle was able to trim the gap, 37-39, by halftime after it outscored UE in the 2nd quarter, 23-19. Villanueva and Casio combined for 12 points in the 2nd quarter.

The Green Archers seized the edge in the 3rd quarter for the first time, 42-41, after Tang drained a long jumper early in the third period. Casio then extended La Salle’s lead, 46-43.

By the end of the 3rd quarter, the Red Warriors were still ahead after scoring a 7-1 run courtesy of Thiele and Arellano.

The last time UE tasted the lead was when Arellano - who got 10 points - scored on a lay-up, 60-58, with 3:50 minutes.

Despite La Salle’s poor rebounding in the first half (13), the Green Archers hauled down 18 rebounds – including six offensive boards – in the 2nd half for a total of 31 rebounds.

UE dominated the rebounding department, 60-31.

But La Salle’s nine steals and four blocks against UE’s 5 and 2, respectively, had spelled the difference in the game. Borboran and James Martinez scored 13 and 11 points respectively for UE.

La Salle got 25 points from UE’s turnovers and converted 9 of its 12 fast break attempts.

Individual scores:

La Salle 64: Tang 17, Casio 12, Villanueva 11, Maierhofer 7, Ferdinand 5, Walsham 3, Barua 3, Atkins 2, Mangahas 2, Cua 2, Malabes 0, Co 0.

UE 63: Borboran 13, Martinez 11, Arellano 10, Thiele 7, Fampulme 6, Lee 3, Lingganay 3, Bandaying 2, Llagas 2, Canizares 2, Espiritu 2, Gregorio 2.

Quarter Scoring: 14-20, 37-39, 47-50, 64-63

Tags: Dindo-Pumaren, Franz-Pumaren, Green-Archers, La-Salle, News, Red-Warriors, UAAP, UAAP-Finals, UAAP-Season-70, UAAP-Season-70-Finals, UE

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