Archers run roughshod over Maroons, get ready vs Eagles

La Salle has just finished a fitting workout before its much-awaited return bout with fierce rival Ateneo.

The Green Archers used their game against the lowly University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons like a regular scrimmage in a practice game and the Taft-based dribblers won handily, 84-63, in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum Thursday. The Green Archers jumped the gun early against the Maroons and took the fight out from the cagers of Diliman. Third-year veteran Maui Villanueva, a former high school standout of UP Integrated School, came up with 14 points and eight rebounds, helping La Salle to improve its record to six wins and three losses. Coach Dindo Pumaren's shock troopers -- rookies Jarelan Tampus and Almond Vosotros and second-year Gab Banal -- produced solid numbers in the absence of shooter Sam Marata, who is recovering from flu. Tampus, a prized recruit from the Letran Squires, had 11 points and seven rebounds with five of those coming from the offensive glass, while Banal tallied 11 points on 2-of-3 shooting from rainbow country. The two did provide quality minutes for the Green Archers. Vosotros, who had 17 points in a win over National University on Saturday, added 10 points, six rebounds and three steals in just 13 minutes off the bench. UP remained as the only winless team in the tournament with an 0-9 card. "I'm glad that everyone stepped up and we also did well sharing the ball, especially in the second half. I think we made 24 assists, which really helped us a lot," said Pumaren. Compounding woes for UP were the injuries suffered by Mark Lopez and Woody Co. With the team down, 39-48, in the third, Lopez’s right knee gave out while battling a driving Tampus on a fast break play with 4:39 left. He was sent to the dressing room via a stretcher. About three minutes later, it was Co's turn to get some medical attention after injuring his right foot due to a bad fall following an attempted drive to the hoop. The 2006 Rookie of the Year spent the rest of the way on the bench with his foot packed with ice. Mike Silungan had 12 points and six boards, but shot a woeful 4-of-13 from the field, while center Magi Sison registered the same amount of points and rebounds for UP, which turned the ball over 28 times and gave up 21 points off those miscues. Co, meanwhile, made 10 points and 10 rebounds. - RCJ, GMANews.TV