By NIKOLE JAVIER
De La Salle bounced back in a dominant fashion, hacking out a 87-70 over Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Saturday, Oct. 15.
Left with a bitter taste in their mouths after dropping an 81-74 loss to the University of the East Red Warriors last week, the Green Archers banked on their 32-15 second-quarter assault to leave the Tamaraws in the dust for their third win against two losses.
Schonny Winston posted a double-double performance of 23 points and 14 boards apart from five assists and five steals for La Salle which smothered FEU’s defense.
La Salle's lead ballooned to as high as 31, 66-35, courtesy of a Joaqui Manuel's layup at the 4:12 mark of the third period.
"Happy with the win today, the boys showed we can bounce back. As I've been telling them, that 0-4 record of FEU, they're a better team than their 0-4," said Green Archers coach Derrick Pumaren.
“The thing about it in today’s game, from the start, we showed and rebounded really well. As I’ve told them at the start, with UE, we give them a lot of second chance points. So, we can’t have that today.”
Kevin Quiambao and Manuel provided support for La Salle with 16 and 14 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Lj Gonzales paced FEU with 16 points apart from nine rebounds as they fell into a 0-5 hole for its worst start since Season 69.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 87 -- Winston 23, Quiambao 16, Manuel 14, Nelle 8, Austria 7, Nwankwo 6, Estacio 5, Cortez 4, B. Phillips 2, Abadam 2.
FEU 70 -- Gonzales 16, Sajonia 15, Sleat 12, Torres 10, Bagunu 8, Tchuente 3, Tempra 2, Ona 2, Anonuevo 1, Celzo 1, Alforque 0, Sandagon 0.
Quarters: 18-10, 50-25, 74-49, 87-70.