Archers blast Stags, claim 3rd win in row

MANILA, Philippines - Jeron Teng and rookies Kib Montalbo and Robert Bolick struck hard as the La Salle Green Archers routed San Sebastian Stags, 90-74, for their third straight win in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at the Arena yesterday.

Teng rifled in 17 points, including 13 in the first half that fueled their breakaway, while newbies Montalbo (nine markers and three assists in 15 minutes) and Bolick (five points, three rebounds and three feeds) played steady ball as they helped La Salle continue its unblemished run.

A nine-man Ateneo team emerged victorious over a rugged Lyceum, 84-64, to pick up its sixth win in seven outings before taking a break from the summer tourney to have its annual training in the US.

Letran banked on the end-game heroics of Raymond Almazan, Rey Nambatac and Mark Cruz to repulse Southwestern U, 78-68.

“I’m sure other teams are also experimenting so this is not really a good gauge of where we are right now. It’s about being consistent and getting better individually and as a team,” said DLSU coach Gee Abanilla, downplaying the Archers’ fiery start.

Montalbo, a blue chip recruit from St John’s Bacolod, and Bolick, from La Salle Greenhills, ably filled in when veteran Almond Vosotros suffered a sprained ankle and helped DLSU keep SSC at bay in the fourth.

“They’re adjusting pretty well. I just like the way they’re playing aggressive ball. They will learn some more,” said Abanilla.

The Stags slipped to 1-2.

Almazan, who arrived late after attending practice of PBA D-League team Cagayan Rising Sun, joined forces with Nambatac and Cruz in an 8-2 blast that sealed it for the Knights (1-1).

Nambatac topscored with 16 points while McJour Luib added 13 and Almazan and Cruz had 11 apiece as Letran gave new coach Caloy Garcia his first win in the tourney.