When No. 4 Means So Much (inboundpass.com)

Aug 27
20097:32 am

When No. 4 Means So Much (inboundpass.com)

Posted by GREENARCHERS.PH

Posted by Tony L Atayde at inboundpass.com

In sports competitions, medals are awarded to the top 3 finishers. Gold, silver and bronze medals have been the standard rewards for a job well done.
As usual, the UAAP is a different situation. Being No. 4 is something that is being aspired for by 5 teams and if you look closely, there is a strong possibility that 4 out of the 5 teams have a chance to get it.

Ateneo, FEU and UE seem to have clinched the top 3 spots. By all indications, Ateneo and FEU will end up with the twice to beat advantage. UE is playing good enough and its record seems to be good enough to assure them of 3rd place.

It’s the battle for that 4th spot that is interesting. I cannot recall the last time that the teams yhat have a chance to make that last spot in the Final Four has been this close.

UP and Adamson have the hardest road ahead. The Falcons have to face FEU, Ateneo, UST and UP. With their 3-7 record, they have to win all their games to at least have a chance at a tie for that 4th spot. Adamson will have their work cut out for them. One loss and their chances are all but gone.

UP also has a tough series of games. With a 3- 7 record, they have to face FEU, UE, Ateneo and Adamson. It is actually that Adamson game that will be critical for both AdU and UP. One of them has to lose and that may just mean the end of the losing team’s Final Four hopes.

Though UP beat Ateneo in the first round, I don’t see it happening again in the 2nd round. FEU and UE will also definitely make their final push for the Final Four and UP is a team that they can both beat.

UST carries a 5 – 5 record and are in the best position to grab the last spot. They have the easiest schedule, having to play NU, Adamson, UE and La Salle. If they win at least 2 games, then their entry into the Final Four will be much stronger. However, it seems that only NU is a game that UST has almost a sure chance of winning. However, the Bulldogs have proven time and again to be the spoilers of the league. Adamson and UE will not be pushovers either.
La Salle who has a 4 – 6 record, still has a chance at the Final Four. Slim as it may be, they can still clinch a spot if they get their act together and play the kind of basketball that the Green Archers are known for. They have to play UE, FEU, NU and UST. They have to win at least 2 games to even have a remote chance of getting to the Final Four.

The key game in all these scenarios will be the La Salle – UST game. It may just boil down to the winner of this game going to the Final Four. La Salle won their first match-up and will be hoping to duplicate this.

Any upsets would definitely mess things up, especially for UST and La Salle. If NU for example comes out as the team that throws a monkey wrench into the fray, then it will make the UAAP homestretch even more interesting.

If by chance UST or La Salle get the number 4 spot, it will be interesting because that means they will be playing Ateneo. La Salle would definitely want to prove its detractors wrong while UST has shown that it can upset Ateneo as it did when they last won the championship.
It will be an exciting homestretch. Who will get that number 4 spot? Let’s sit back and enjoy it.

Very Opinionated. Very Green. Hate him. Love Him. It does not matter and he does not care. A Howard Stern in cyberspace. He bleeds Green, he is purely from La Salle, as a former writer and Assistant Vice President for Events of the DLSU Alumni Association. Played basketball and was on the track and field team for La Salle during the NCAA just don't ask what year.

Tagged as: UAAP Season 72

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dags
August 27th, 2009 - 10:18

I remember the rookie year of casio, arana etc. those guys fought hard and proud. I hope our boys would be able to duplicate what those guys accomplished when they reached the final four. let’s go guys! Animo La Salle!
GREENARCHERS.PH
August 27th, 2009 - 12:19

dags

I believe the rookies have the same fighting heart as them.
Yes the 2003 was full of rookies but they still had Cardona, Yeo and Tang. That team actually finished 7-7 good enough for a final four berth wherein they took ateneo to the limit. They almost did it. Who knows, the team might just duplicate and even surpass it. The season isnt over yet
bleedgreen
August 27th, 2009 - 12:27

I believe that today’s game is the turning point in our quest for that last Final Four slot. A victory should be followed through with stronger and better performances. The Archers must re-assert their will for every game and stay focused from now on. They must play like as if there will be no more tomorrow.

Rev it up boys! Rev it up!!!

ANIMO LA SALLE!!!
Fred Cebu
August 27th, 2009 - 17:08

No. 4? The team that wants it the most will get it!
Kevin
August 27th, 2009 - 21:02

I still believe that the Archers will manage to squeeze themselves in the top 4 position. It will be a huge humiliation for the school if they didn’t get the slot. Wouldn’t that be like the first time it would happen.

No. Not this year. i hope.

Animo Archers. Animo La Salle!
Proud Archer
August 28th, 2009 - 21:54

After reading the numerous comments about what to do, who to use, problems with the players, coaching staff, plays, inconsistent shots, who we should have recruited, why didn’t we recruit him when he was with us etc., etc., etc., aren’t you tired about all the negativity which you read, say, and write? No wonder our team is performing the way it is now. Hey come on archers!!! The players read this site too!!! So does the coaching staff. So does the school administration, our alumni, and definitely, so do our chief rivals.
No I am not criticizing these opinions, observations etc. As I said, as long as no derogatory remarks are said personally to anyone, everyone should voice his or her opinion. A solution just might make its way here. All I am saying, and I am a firm believer of this, is that if you’re attitude is negative, the results will also follow.
It really is just a matter of things not falling timely in our favor. In the UP game, we actually played well offensively but lo and behold. Simon Atkins was injured. Simon is a very good defensive guard and could very well stay in step with Mikee Reyes. But his absence was a big impact in that game. Remember, Simon positions for the charge very well. He could have fished a couple of fouls from Mikee, thus changing the complexion of that game.
The much maligned Bader played fantastically well I thought, specially on defense, with his two steals. Jovet is our most consistent utility man now. He had 10 rebounds the last game. Yutien had two crucial blocks.
It really is NOT over yet guys. THAT is the attitude I want to express to you. I will support this team no matter what. This is OUR De La Salle Basketball Team. I am telling you. They will only get better. Give them time, but more importantly now, give them unanimous and unconditional Moral Support. Who knows? This really might be THE solution to the team playing better. ANIMO Archers!!!!!
Joseph Marion Yu
August 29th, 2009 - 10:23

Guys.. try niyo mag pick and roll para makapag three points ang shooters niyo.. I think what the team lacks is the high screen from the forwards for the legitimate guards of La Salle to hit their 3 pointers.. remember the CASIO and Maierhofer days.. Casio was able to hit some of his 3point shots accurately because of the nice screens of Maierhofer.. if kaya nila.. kaya niyo rin.. HEADS UP! LA SALLE! di pa huli para ma.agaw niyo ang torneyo ng ATENEO! Go LASALLE!
vince BSC 1974
August 29th, 2009 - 10:34

Let us continue playing and fighting GO ARCHERS AND ANIMO LA SALLE
Jap
August 29th, 2009 - 19:39

This team has gotten its worst share of luck since Maui shaved his head. Bad mojo!

Seriously though, J.M. Yu is right. La Salle this year has no go-to plays, no go-to guys, and its main weapon, the Full-court press is negated by the lack of athletic, fast, long-armed and physical guards. As hard as it is to accept, the Archers are one of the underdogs this year.

I’m still not giving up on the Archers. Yes, they are one of the underdogs now, but I’ve seen flashes of brilliance and promise from this team. They will certainly peak at the right time.

Let’s try to win our last games! GO LA SALLE!
GREENARCHERS.PH
August 29th, 2009 - 19:46

All is not lost yet. Unfortunately though, the team’s fate is anymore in their control. UST has to lose some games for us to tie which I feel is still an achievable goal. At this point, we should not anymore lose.
Joseph "The Fatninja" Yu
August 30th, 2009 - 18:19

Jason Webb needs to be careful with his traveling moves as well as malabes..tsk JAMES MANGAHAS! Step Up! and play the same athlete last year when you save the team from a crucial game from FEU.
Yucca
August 31st, 2009 - 22:29

MANGAHAS, MALABES, BARUA this players are not playing A best this season especially MANGAHAS lkie last year finals para lang clang kinain ng buhay ng ATENEO… If they want to win their remaining games they have to be a TEAM and execute well, presence of mind don’t rush take one at a time kc mahaba p nman oras… anyway
Yucca
August 31st, 2009 - 22:31

i believe they can’t make to the final four this season but who knows sbi nga nila bola ay bilog lol

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