MANILA — The De La Salle Green Archers avenged their first round defeat after surviving a 88-86 cliffhanger over archrival Ateneo in front of their screaming faithfuls on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Jeron Teng spearheaded the Archers with 32 points, including two crucial charities that gave them a 87-83 lead in the dying seconds of the game.
The Archers led by five, 66-61 at the end of the third period but the Blue Eagles stormed back with a 10-4 rally to snatch the 72-71 advantage.
The resilient Archers generated a run of their own after retalitating with a 7-3 rampage to take a 78-75 cushion.
Kiefer Ravena scored a layup that chopped the lead to one, 78-77 but Julian Sargent answered with a booming trey that gave the Archers a comfortable 81-77 lead.
Ravena and Gotladera conspired for Ateneo’s next four points that tied the game at 81 apiece.
Teng broke the tie after splitting his charities that was followed by three straight points by the bulky Jason Perkins to claim a 85-81 advantage.
Down but not out, Chris Newsome quickly buried a layup but Jeron Teng viciously responded by making his two pressure-packed free throws for a 87-83 lead.
Newsome countered with a cold blooded trey to put Ateneo within striking distance, 87-86 with less than 10 seconds left in the payoff period.
The Ateneans were left with no choice but to foul Almond Vosotross with 1.9 ticks remaining.
Vosotross calmly sunk his first free throw and missed his second one to prevent the Blue Eagles from making a decent shot.
Jason Perkins grabbed the rebound and threw it in mid air as time expired,signaling the win of the Green Archers.
Kiefer Ravena made a gallant effort after scoring 22 points to pair up with six rebounds but it wasn’t enough to salvage the win.
The Archers, Blue Eagles and Tamaraws are now knotted at the top spot with a identical 6-2 record.
The Tamaraws clobbered the NU Bulldogs, 74-70 in the 11 a.m game.