DLSU loses in Pumaren's last game

MANILA – Following his worst finish in the UAAP, Franz Pumaren’s final game with the De La Salle Green Archers became a more bitter pill to swallow.

The Green Archers relinquished their Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) crown after the Letran Knights pulled off a shocking 83-72 victory over them in Day 2 of the Sweet 16 Finals Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Green Archers, who finished fifth in the UAAP Season 72 and went through the zonal eliminations just to enter the Sweet 16 (where they swept the Naga leg), could not keep up with the Knights’ frenetic pace.

After the game, Pumaren officially passed on the head coaching post to his younger brother, Dindo, to concentrate on his political career.

The ominous sign started to unravel in the opening period where the Archers trailed by 12, 9-21.  

The Archers fought back in the second canto and came within a solitary point, 35-36, at the turn.

Belencion shines

However, Letran’s sophomore swingman JP Belencion had other things in mind as he waxed hot in the third quarter.  

The Iloilo native poured in 14 of his tournament-high 36 points to give the Knights a commanding 64-52 lead going into the final period.

The Archers, behind Joshua Webb and Arvie Bringas, furiously came back to pull within five, 66-71.  But it was the closest they could get as Belecion and senior Reymar Gutilban sank three consecutive 3-pointers to seal the win.  

Belencion pumped in a record 10 of his 19 3-point attempts and went perfect from the 2-point zone (2-for-2) and free throw line (2-for-2) in a sensational performance.

“Papasok sa game na ito, inisip lang namin ang mag-compete since wala sina Rey [Guevarra], Kirk [del Rosario] at si RJ [Jazul].  Buti na lang at nag step-up ang buong team lalo na si JP (Belencion),” Letran coach Louie Alas said.

Letran missed the services of Guevarra and del Rosario due to injuries while Jazul was tied up with the Smart Gilas RP Team.

Ateneo prevails

In the second game, a Rabeh Al-Hussaini-less Ateneo Blue Eagles routed the Lyceum Pirates, 73-63, to join Letran, Far Eastern University and San Beda in the Elite Eight.

Without Al-Hussaini, who was also tied up with the Smart Gilas RP Team, Nico Salva stepped up and led the Blue Eagles’ juggernaut before tapering off in the final period.

Salva had a game-high 17 points while Jai Reyes, Ryan Buenafe, Nonoy Baclao and Eric Salamat ably backed him up.

The UAAP back-to-back champions, who placed second to DLSU in last year’s PCCL, move on to the next round and will face the winner between the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers and (UST) University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers. The JRU vs UST game will be played in Ormoc, Leyte on November 30. – Alder T. Almo

For more UAAP, visit www.uaapsports.com

The Scores:

Letran 83 – Belencion 36, Gutilban 15, Kevin Alas 12, Cortez 10, Taplah 3, Foronda 3, Malabago 2, Ang 2, Pantin 0, Kris Alas 0.
DLSU 72 – Webb 18, Bringas 13, Bagatsing 12, Atkins 8, Ferdinand 5, Andrada 4, Banal 3, Tolentino 3, Mendoza 2, Villanueva 2, Barua 2, Manguera 0, Marata 0.
Quarters: 21-9, 36-35, 64-52, 83-72.

ADMU 73 – Salva 17, Reyes 13, Buenafe 11, Baclao , Salamat 8, Chua 5, Sumalinog 5, Long 3, Monfort 2, Golla 0, De Chavez 0, Austria 0.
Lyceum 63 – Abaya 16, Cayabyab 10, Rimando 10, Guevarra 7, Ong 5, Mendoza 4, Francicso 4, De Guzman 3, Lacap 2, Anacta 2, Deduyo 0, Difontorum 0.
Quarters: 20-15, 41-27, 65-43, 73-63.