MANILA, Philippines – The De La Salle Green Archers delivered what their coach had promised as they stunned league leader Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 80-66, on Saturday in the UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

After a lopsided 57-74 loss to arch-rival Ateneo Blue Eagles last Sunday, La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren vowed that the team will bounce back.

And bounce back big they did.

Simon Atkins, who sustained a cut above his left eye in an accidental hit by RR Garcia in the first half, came back to lead the Archers with a rousing comeback in the fourth period.

Trailing by as much as 8 points, 42-50, towards the end of the third period, the Archers turned to Atkins, who knocked down two key triples in the final canto.

Jarelan Tampus’ drive completed a 16-7 exchange that gave La Salle the lead, 58-57, in the 9:17 mark of the fourth period.

The Archers did not let up as Atkins caught fire.

The veteran guard’s first three-pointer in the fourth extended the Archers lead to 7 points, 67-60, with 6:12 remaining.

Atkins’ second triple inside the final two minutes gave the Archers a 77-66 spread, sending the green side of the Big Dome to a frenzy. He celebrated the shot with a “bang bang” hand signal directed towards his teammates on the bench.

“They showed character. I knew that they will bounce back [after the loss to Ateneo]. Nahiya sila,” Pumaren said.

While Atkins waxed hot down the stretch, Garcia melted on the other end.

Garcia, who made 18 points in the first three quarters, was shut down by La Salle’s defense in the fourth period.

“It was my first time to get a cut. When the doctor was fixing it, nanlambot ako. Normally when a player gets injured, the tendency is to relax but I want to change that,” Atkins said.

Atkins finished with 19 points, 10 coming in the pivotal fourth period, and added 6 rebounds and 2 assists for the Archers, who solidified their hold on fourth spot with a 7-4 record.

The win distanced them further from National University Bulldogs (4-6), University of the East Red Warriors and University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers, who are both tied at 4-7, for a spot in the Final Four.

“This game meant a lot because our last loss was painful for us. We talked about bouncing back and what a better way to do that against FEU, the no.1 team in the league,” Atkins added.

La Salle rookies Luigi dela Paz and Tampus also played big coming up with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The Scores:

DLSU 80 – Atkins 19, Dela Paz 12, Tampus 10, Andrada 9, Villanueva 8, Vosotros 5, Mendoza 5, Tolentino 4, Paredes 2, Webb 2, Marata 2, Ferdinand 2.

FEU 66 – Garcia 18, Ramos 14, Romeo 11, Cawaling 8, Cervantes 7, Cruz 2, Sanga 2, Knuttel 2, Bringas 1, Exciminiano 1, Mendoza 0, Noundou 0.

Quarters: 17-21, 34-38, 54-57, 80-66.