posted in the Nike Summer League Website
National champion De La Salle, with a number of rookies on its fold, dumped unheralded City College of Manila, 86-72, in the 2009 Nike Summer League seniors’ division at the FEU gym in Morayta, Manila.
Electing to use the game as a tune-up for its sought-after recruits, the Green Archers overcame a disappointing start before making things difficult for the Merlions to gain a head start in their quest to regain the NSL title they last won in 2007.
Sophomore standout David Joshua Webb bannered La Salle’s attack with 18 points, three rebounds and three assists while Jovet Mendoza tallied 16 points as they led by as many as 31 points in the contest.
But to everyone’s surprise, CCM, a member of the National Capital Region Athletic Association, zoomed to an early 13-4 lead with 4:21 left in the opening period.
However, Webb led a furious charge for the Taft-based cagers when he hit seven points, including a triple that put them on top for good, 21-20, with 8:28 in the second quarter before storming to a 39-26 lead at the half and never looked back.
Ex-La Salle Greenhills big man Martin Reyes scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds while former RP Youth standout Norbert Torres added 11 points and seven rebounds in the victory.
Simon Atkins had three assists while rookie Jed Manguerra hauled down six boards.
The Green Archers elected not to field in veterans like James Mangahas, Hyram Bagatsing and Peejay Barua during the 40-minute encounter.
Three-time NCAA champion San Beda debuts tomorrow when it takes on Universities and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association runner-up Philippine College of Criminology at 4pm while Letran battles University of the Philippines in the curtain raiser at 9am.
The rest of the schedule will be in the juniors’ division as FEU-Nicanor Reyes Educational Foundation meets Rizal Technological University at 10:30 am, UAAP champion Ateneo clash with Hope Christian School at 12 noon, LSGH against National University at 1:30 pm and UCLAA champion PCCr versus JRU at 3pm.
