By Peter Atencio
Evan Nelle led five teammates in coming up with double-digit outputs to help propel the La Salle Green Archers to a rousing 87-76 trouncing of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Sunday in the 86th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Nelle unloaded 15 points and had eight rebounds and 12 assists for the Green Archers as they gave new coach Topex Robinson a winning debut.
After making just three points in the first period, Nelle sank seven points in the second as La Salle widened a 24-19 edge into a nine-point spread at halftime, 48-39.
Kevin Quiambao added 14 points, while Michael Philips and CJ Austria chipped in 13 and 12, respectively. Francis Escandor made 11.
Robinson gave members of the team his complete trust on their first game and they responded by putting the Green Archers to their biggest advantage at 20, 63-43, in the third period off Austria’s layup.
“Given that these guys are talented, you just have to give them the floor, and trust that they’ll make the right decisions,” said Robinson.
Xyrus Torres made 19 points for the Dennis Miranda-coached Tams.