The View from the Armchair: Game 9 vs Ateneo
We were owned, at least for this game. That aptly describes the result of our second loss against defending champion Ateneo to the tune of 65-81. The game was close only for one and a half quarters, but once the Blue Eagles pulled away to a double digit lead on a Monfort triple at 15-25, the Archers’ game went south.
What went right
Very little. The Archers were outhustled, outshot, outrebounded, and generally outplayed. But there were flashes of energy, the last of which saw the lead cut down to 13 at 50-63 early in the 4th quarter. But after a couple of baskets by Ateneo, the rally fizzled out and Ateneo coasted to the end, content to just match the Archers basket for basket. Peejay also continued his recovery from his shooting slump, firing away from long range for 16 points while making 50% of his shots. Joshua continued his scoring run against Ateneo with 13, and Maui contributed 10 markers after being more aggressive on offense.
If the game was rated based on quarters won, surprisingly, the Archers actually won the 3rd quarter and tied Ateneo in the 4th while losing the first two. Unfortunately, the game was won in the first half when the Blue Eagles built a 17point lead at 44-27. In the 2nd half, they just matched the Archers to keep them at bay.
What didn’t work
The defense. Rabeh Al-Husseini got away for 26 points, scoring on jumpers from close range. The boxing out efforts of the Archers also failed to keep Ateneo away from the shaded lane, and they used their height advantage to tip in several missed shots. The press, while it generated a few turnovers early, failed to keep Ateneo at bay. Ateneo exploited their scouting of the Archer defense for open shots using crisp, quick passing plays to find the open areas, where a waiting Ateneo shooter would almost always be positioned. Their almost 59% shooting clip from the 2 point area was indicative of the ease of which the Blue Eagles were able to handle the Archer defense. Whenever an Archer would attempt a foray into the paint, the Ateneo defenders were ready, and they blocked 7 shots without any reciprocation from the Archers.
The Archer offense, on the other hand, continued to sputter. In the first half, by the time Ateneo had pulled away to erect that 15-25 lead, the Archers had already misfired on 10 3point attempts. The standard Archer offensive plays were also well defended. A telling statistic was the 10-22 disparity in assists. Ateneo’s fluid passing enabled them to find the open teammate, while the Archers struggled to get the ball into good scoring positions. Other statistics were relatively close in the 2nd half, but by then the damage had been done and the lead could not be surmounted.
The rookie watch
Sam and Arvie continued their run of games where they made 3pointers. Sam, in particular, was accurate, hitting 2/3 of his attempts from the 3point area, but he played only 11 minutes. Yutien tried to duplicate his success against Al-Husseini, but Black moved Rabeh to the high post area and allowed him to take post up jumpers, most of which he made. Joel again played limited minutes, made both of his fg attempts and foul shots for 6 points. Jed and Gab failed to enter the game.
Moving forward
Again, the Archers started the round with a 2-game losing streak. With 5 games to go against UP, UE, UST, FEU, and NU (in that order), they cannot afford to lose more than 1 game if they want to make it to the final 4. Eight wins will assure them of at least a playoff for the final berth. If they lose more than one game, they will have to rely on factors outside their control, such as the other contenders losing enough games. It’s still possible, but they will have to pick up their game and regain that winning attitude.
KEEP THE FAITH!
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question…why do we keep on saying that the team must use the veterans more often to build their confidence? isn’t it that they have been playing in this league for more than 3 years already and should know what it takes to win in this league? they should have the confidence now that they are the so called veterans…sure, the team has no jv, rico or the other superstars in this team anymore; but, those veterans already shown these current crops of veterans how to be a leader and how to play at this kind of level…the present veterans of this team should (by now) know how to adjust in the early start of the tournament and relatively improve as the season progresses…how come they are not showing that intensity and leadership? malabes, atkins, mangahas and the others so called current veterans are playing like beginners; while, the rookies are playing with more intensity and determination…
im not trying to put down the team but i just want to share my opinion on this. i support the green archers team…
the critics are not here to put them down but to make them realize that they still have a long way to go to improve their game and not to be complacent…they must realize that they are the veterans of the team and they must set examples for the rookies…they must put their heart and intensity in every game…hindi pwede yung palambot-lambot and as if hindi nila alam yung gagawin nila sa court…
animo la salle!!!
admittedly, ateneo has better players this season…losing is part of the game and admitting to one’s weakness is humility beyond compare, in the spirit of sportsmanship….the archers still have let their presence felt in the hardcourt, no retreat, no surrender…it is one of those games where it keeps me off my feet…they played their best, but maybe not good enough for a win….anyway, just charge it all to experience…siyempre, LASALLE FOREVER pa din!!!!!!!!!!
if we die, we die fighting! We got to learn to play hard 40 minutes and make the school proud, even in defeat…
I’m still proud of our team, ANIMO DLSU!
yesterday the better team won. but the best school accepted their defeat on the hardcourt graciously. congrats ateneans, til we meet again. ANIMO LA SALLE!!!
A slump like this happens to the best of the best in any league. Our Green Archers basketball team is undoubtedly the most successful in the UAAP for the past decade or so. The succession plan by the team management and coaching staff would have been perfect if not for the injury suffered by Marco, the untimely departure of Rico and the illness of L.A. I remember seeing Marco to be one hell of a scoring machine and a dominant big man before his ACL injury. I am just hoping that he can fully recover and be his old self for next year’s campaign.
In the face of these challenges, I remain proud of our team as they showed the never-say-die spirit of a La Sallite. Yes, maturity does play a major role on how a team performs, and yes, those 3 names that I mentioned would have made a big difference in this year’s campaign. The presence of these 3 leaders should have opened the gates for role-players like James, Peejay, and Bader. Just like the presence of leaders like Al-Hussaini, Baclao, Salamat & Reyes, open looks are created for role-players like Salva & co. Its with utmost consideration to James, Peejau and Bader that I would like to discourage my fellow alumni from focusing all the frustration to these 3 veterans.
A La Sallite does not easily give up. Our best comes out when faced by tremendous adversity. This is where we thrive. The second round is far from over, and we should never lose focus on the final 4. Any thing is still possible, remember that we almost had the Ateneans in that first game!
Animo!
An experienced Ateneo team was just too much for the Archers. Ateneo players take 5,000 shots during practice, La Salle SHOULD double or triple that.
During 2nd quarter or ADMU breakeaway, the La Salle looked nervous on taking their shots, lacked offensive patterns and poor shot selection. 3rd quarter was worse, no fluidity on offense and Rabeh was not well covered. Experience has won it for them. I hope these mistakes will be corrected on the next games.
ANIMO LA SALLE!
This was the first time I saw Ateneo play and I must say that I was quite impressed with their level of play. Don’t get me wrong, I BLEED green and white but unless someone can come up with a solution to Al-Hussein, all the teams in the league are in big trouble! That kid is big and has good touch from outside and can move people around on the inside. He can play the 3, 4 or 5 position and has good footwork. I realized while watching the game last night that Ateneo shot the ball out of their friggin’ minds, hardly missing anything while La Salle couldn’t pay bribe someone to help them make a basket! In the first half, Ateneo kept turning the ball over but La Salle could not capitalize and in the second half, well, in spite of a short rally, Ateneo was simply too much for the boys in green to handle. In the span of seven days, the team has lost three games, and at the end of that game last night they just looked exhausted!
the VETERANS had their part or rather had their time in the 1st round… AND YET THEY HAVE NOT PROVEN ANYTHING nor IMPROVED INTO A BETTER PLAYER… which means one thing.. they must be in the bench drinking gatorade and LET THE SOPHS and THE ROOKIES NOW PROVE THEMSELVES AND PLAY MUCH LONGER IN THE COURT… our veterans have been proven worthless(sorryfortheterm) since the summer league to the 1st round of the season so i think its time for THE ROOKIES AND THE SOPH TO SHOW THEIR TRUE POTENTIALS..
a message to the veterans: PLEASE PROVE TO ME THAT I AM WRONG ABOUT YOU GUYS.. SHOW IT TO US, PROVE IT, BRING THE GREEN AND WHITE TEAM TO THE FINAL FOUR.. MUCH BETTER IF YOU GUYS CAN MAKE IT TO THE FINALS…
AN1MO LASALLE!!! KEEP THE FAITH!!! WE CAN DO THIS!!!
gudluck to the team!
Al Husseini really benefited from his stint in Smart Gilas and you can see it in his level of play. He runs the floor really well and can hit those jumpers. What distinguishes this current Ateneo team from the past is the BENCH which has been Ateneo’s weakness the past decade and was supposed to be the Archers’ strength. The 2nd unit of Monfort, Buenafe, Salva and Chua made great impact on the past 2 games with us. While their counterparts with us : Bader, Co, Andrada, Maui were not in the same level. Salva practically dommed us in the 1st game and now he and Buenafe practically outplayed our 2nd unit again. Remember the time when the bench of DLSU was once called the ‘Super Subs?’, it isn’t showing now.
I agree that Bader plays terrible and I don’t know why Franz keeps giving him the PG duties when he makes botched plays repeatedly. Bader is a perimeter defender, that is his strength, he shouldn’t be the one handling the ball. I think he should be like ‘Dahntay Jones’ from the Nuggets last year whose main role is just to defend the scorer from the other team. James Mangahas should really step up big time. His play has dwindled the last couple of years after being strong playing with Rico and JV. And Simon is way below Jai Reyes’ and Eric Salamat’s level of play, don’t know what happened to him.
use rookies (Andrada,Bringas,Marata,Banal and Tolentino) as starters..let them teach the veterans (Ferdinand, Co, Mangahas, Malabes and Atkins) how to play LA SALLE basketball..
What this team sorely misses is a point guard and play maker the likes of TY Tang and Mike Cortes. LA Revilla was promising. Right now, Tolentino looks like he can develop into that person. Something missing in Hyram Bagatsing – the X-factor to be the anchor of the team – leadership, confidence, and intensity.
D L S U ANIMO LASALLE! Grabe that game was slaughtered by ATENEO BLUE EAGLES…. They we’re playing so good and at the top of their game. I think the energy level of La Sale player didn’t match their counterparts. Joshua Webb played good! Astig IDOL!!! The Veterans? Ummmmmm? Hmmmmmm? Were proud of you even though a very very very very few stepped up. DLSU Animo Lasalle! I hope La Salle basketball comes back soon! I believe in Franz Pumaren’s skill especially the picking of his players… The players we’re chosen because they deserve it. Hindi sila basta basta pinili ni Coach Franz, we should believe on their skills… Eventhough we were opressed especially that last game by Ateneans.. Especially when heard on TV puro GO ATENEO! di na nakakasigaw ung DLSU….. I Hope the’yll be stronger and mightier when that day come when they’re ready to fight once again and challenge Ateneo….. Nice game Ateneo! Wooohoooooo… ANIMO DLSU!
Is it true all our wins from 2003-2005 were forfeited? Some Atenean Pexer claims they now have the most wins against DLSU since our games were forfeited during 03-05. If that’s true, we have a helluva lot of catching up to do
I wouldn’t believe anything that’s posted in PEX.
Pexers are people na walang social life.. panay hindi kakilala ang kausap. madalas na pretenders. I cant agree more..
Nel August 18th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I wouldn’t believe anything that’s posted in PEX.
guys, sino sino gagraduate next year from the uaap? is bader one of them?
@ rockstar idol and nel
reagarding the head to head count
actually if the games are forfetied the count is 30-31, in favor of ateneo as per wikipedia so technically 1 game lang lamang nila saten! siguro ina-aassume nung taga PEX na ni-reverse yung decision at inaward kay ateneo (which would have been 38-30 in favor of ateneo), which isnt the case. see the wikipedia entry of La Salle Ateneo rivalry.
pero in the recent Philippine Star newspapaer article which came out nung sunday, the count is still 37-30 La Salle, so meaning it is still widely considered na lamang parin tayo.
and besides, sabihin na nating lamang sila sa head to head
eh lamang naman tayo sa championships sa UAAP
ayos ba ?
I still believe that the Green Archers team can rise up to this catastrophe.
KEEP THE FAITH! ANIMO LA SALLE!
What’s PEX/PEXER?
PEX, or PinoyEXchange, is a website owned by ABSCBN. They have forums on various topics like showbiz and sports. One of the more popular forums is on basketball. A PEXer is someone who posts in PEX. Their basketball forum is generally not closely monitored or moderated, so PEXers are free to post whatever they like, with or without any basis in reality. Anything posted in PEX should be taken with a grain of salt. Those who are really interested in having an intelligent discussion avoid PEX.
Nel
Thanks. About the PEX, I’ve already seen sites like this where people can post anything they want. The PEXER who posted that head to head count is probably an Atenean or just an Atenean poser who hates La Salle so much.