200912:28 pm
The View From the Armchair: Game 11 vs UE
Posted by Nel
This was a tale of 2 teams.
One that lost the game in the first half, when they allowed UE to have their way. One that meekly surrendered the paint to the inside forays of the Warriors. One that showed only token resistance at the perimeter, and conjured visions of another repeat blowout. One whose defensive stiffness had the consistency of tissue paper. One whose players only scored 1 point more than UE's Llagas and Espiritu in first half. The same team that shot airballs off wide open jumpers from the side.
And the team that played classic Archer ball in the second half. Which held UE to 14 and 12 points in the last 2 quarters while scoring 37 points in the same periods. Which played fluid basketball for long stretches to overhaul the UE lead. Where the pressure defense forced UE into uncharacteristic turnovers, and only the inability of the Archers to convert their last attempts saved the day for UE.
What went right
The second half.
Where the Archers shook off their lethargy and outhustled the Warriors. For the first time in the last 4 games, the Archers showed some semblance of the aggressive, confident, smooth game that has been the trademark of past Archer teams. The defense stiffened considerably, forcing UE into 20 turnovers, which they converted into 24 turnover points. The Archers were also more active on the boards in the last 20 minutes, often limiting UE to a single attempt. Oh yeah, unnoticed was the significant improvement in our free throw shooting. The Archers made 12/15 for 80%, probably the best performance in the last 3 seasons. Joel made 5/6, and Joshua made 4/5. Now we know who should be on the floor when the opponents adopt "hack-an-Archer" tactics.
There were some bright spots coming from individual Archers. Joel showed that he deserves to spend more time as the primary pg option now that Simon is out for the season. Kish continued his heady play, contributing points off the most unexpected moves, showing great anticipation in cutting off the passing angles for interceptions, and grabbing 7 rebounds against the more athletic bigs of UE. Maui continued his aggressiveness on offense, attacking the lane and using his quickness and timing to score inside while pulling down 8 rebounds, the most on our team. Hyram showed why he is much more effective playing the 2 position, moving well without the ball to get the passes in the quartercourt where he drained those long treys. Joshua also continued to attack the rim from the perimeter, and alternated in trying to shackle Paul Lee.
What didn't go well
The first half. Again, a slow start, as the Archers almost sleepwalked through the first few minutes, allowing UE to take a lead that they held for more than 3 quarters. It was obvious that the coaches had made specific plans to counteract the aggressive UE offense, yet the execution left much to be desired. Like UST, the Warriors tried to catch the Archers flatfooted after an Archer basket, and they were successful a few times, particularly with Lee on the break. The Archers almost seemed distracted, and a prime example was Arvie's inattention in the last couple of seconds which allowed Llagas to score off a long pass.
It took a trio of sophomores to lead the scoring: Hyram, Maui, and Joshua, with 8 points contributed by Kish, a 3rd year player. Of course, our rookie pg Joel scored his career high with 10. Our veterans James, Peejay, and Bader contributed a total of 4 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 assists. Unfortunately, they missed all 13 attempts from the 3point area and made only 1/11 of their 2point attempts. However, given their skills and the confidence of our coaches, I wouldn't discount the possibility that any or all of them could make a positive impact in the remaining games. Of our players in uniform, Ferdinand again failed to see any action.
The rookie watch
This was Joel's coming out game, and he showed that he is an able replacement for LA. His numbers in 15 minutes: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a couple of turnovers. His adept ballhandling, passing, and overall aggressiveness allowed the Archers to pick up the pace noticeably whenever he was fielded in the game. Joel's effective stint as pg allowed Hyram to move over to sg during which he sank 4 out of 7 attempts from beyond the arc for all his 12 points Arvie nailed another triple, but was not on court long enough in stretches to get any sort of rhythm. Yutien was tested by Llagas and Espiritu whenever he was tasked to guard them, and although failed to produce any stats except fouls, he made things difficult for the Warriors inside. Sam again made a field goal but did not attempt any triple. Jed and Gab saw action for a minute each, but both showed a lot of hustle during their limited time on the floor.
Moving forward
The Archers can only get to a 7-7 record at best; to do this, we must win our remaining games: UST, FEU, and NU. Since UST won over NU today, they are now at 6-5, and we play them on Thursday in a must-win game for us. If we win, our record will be 5-7, while UST's will be 6-6. After us, UST still has to play Adamson and UE. If they win 2 of their last 3 games, we won't be able to catch them and we're out of the playoffs.
The team will have to play with the same intensity and emotion that they showed in the second half if they are to have a chance to win our remaining 3 games. The question is: what lineup will Franz use in these 3 games? Will the vets still see considerable playing time (James, Peejay and Bader saw action for 41 minutes out of the total of 200 minutes available in a regulation game), or will Franz try out his young 'uns?
If you want the answer to this puzzler, come and watch our remaining games. There's still a chance we can make the playoffs. How we do it will be interesting. And, who knows, against all the odds, we might just scrape it into the playoffs. Stranger things have happened.
KEEP THE FAITH!
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August 31st, 2009 - 12:38
Pakiramdam ko makakapasok parin ang lasalle sa final 4. Guess what? Angel tongue yata toh!
August 31st, 2009 - 13:19
wheew! nice analysis..
but i still have a strange feeling on the non-continuation call on Hyram’s shot late in the 4th quarter..
that could really push us the win.. still, it was a good game..
could be a good morale booster against UST this thursday..
ONE for AN1MO!
August 31st, 2009 - 13:19
we’ll perform better only if we bench MANGAHAS, BARUA AND MALABES! enough of these clowns.
time to turnover the car keys to Webb & Bringas. These 2 players have the guts and the heart to become leaders. More playing time for Marata, Tolentino, Banal and Manguera.
MANGAHAS, BARUA, MALABES & FERDINAND: OUT OF THE PLAYING COURT! You need to undergo the try outs next year and show us if you truly deserve to be in the team!
ANIMO!!!
August 31st, 2009 - 13:26
Kish Co is on his 4th playing year. He played from 2005-2007, skipped last season, and is much improved this year.
August 31st, 2009 - 15:44
For the next three games I think Mangahas, Malabes and Barua should just be kept on the bench if they’re not playing their “A” game, most especially Managhas. At this point I think the Archers should’t think of the final 4 too much, because it will just put more pressure on them. They should just play for La Salle with pride & play their hearts out, then maybe we could still catch a slot in the final 4. I just hope the Archers could play like their second half game with UE every grame- that’s the real archer ball.
August 31st, 2009 - 15:59
Atkins out for the season? and LA wala na ba talaga for good?
If it is, just shows us that things don’t always go as we would hope it would be.
August 31st, 2009 - 16:22
“If it rains every day this week, by the law of averages we’re bound to get a sunny day soon”
Law of Averages will catch up on Ateneo or FEU????
August 31st, 2009 - 20:04
DEFENSE, DEFENSE! it may sound like a broken reocrd, but in the games that we won, defense was key. still hoping for a F4 appearance, that will be a good experience for the rookies.
animo!
August 31st, 2009 - 20:08
DEFENSE, DEFENSE! it may sound like a broken record, but in the games that we won, defense was key. still hoping for an F4 appearance, that will be a good experience for the rookies.
animo!
August 31st, 2009 - 23:09
Defense is the best offense by: Chuck Norris, First five; Tolentino, Marata, Bringas, Webb and Bagatsing. Alternates; Manguera, Banal, Andrada, Mendoza and Co…give the rookies more playing time than the veterans. Motivate them co’z they have the heart to win.
August 31st, 2009 - 23:22
Maui Villanueva too. Ang ganda ng mga laro niya..consistent.
September 1st, 2009 - 00:16
hyram rocks
September 1st, 2009 - 00:31
Great analysis! Absolutely correct in pointing out that the PG spot is really weak. And forced Bader and Hyram to play out of position all year. Hopefully they will be able to win last remaining games . I like this Hyram . He is quiet and confident. And when the game is on the line he is not afraid to take the shot.How many times has he bailed La Salle out! He does all the little things that the coach asks him to do. Too bad this is his last year .He will be missed .We will see him in the PBA for sure!
September 1st, 2009 - 03:44
please just let the rookies show their stuff…give the rookies the chance…let them play and gain valuable experience for the future…they have more energy, heart and desire in the games compared to the so called veterans…use the vets like mangahas, malabes and barua in limited minutes so they could cause limited damage…
Tolentino – PG
Marata – SG
Webb – SF
Bringas – PF
Andrada – C
September 1st, 2009 - 09:28
Hi mga Green Archers “MAY BUKAS PA” sabi ni Santino magtiwala lang tayo kay BRO ANIMO LA SALLE
September 1st, 2009 - 10:33
parang hindi na tayo makakapasok sa final 4 this year, just to be realistic.pero next year, im sure, 1st game palang natin, contender na agad tayo sa finals!!!.but still, KEEP THE FAITH pa din! ANIMO LA SALLE…till next year…and to our veterans (Mangahas,Barua,Malabes), Great Season! you will be MISSED!!!
September 1st, 2009 - 11:42
guys you forgot to credit mendoza.. he is a monster in the paint!
ROOKIES > VETS!
September 1st, 2009 - 16:11
Five things the team needs to do to improve now and into the future:
1. What’s with all the travelling calls? This is fundamental basketball I was taught when I was 8 years old! Dribble first then move the pivot foot! Unforced errors are suicide…
2. Box out! There were a number of times during the UE game when a shot would go up and there would be three La Salle players around the rebound but the guy in the white jersey would come down with it! Why? Everyone’s too busy being spectators on the court rather than playing the game!!! Again, this is fundamental to the game… box out your man first THEN look for the ball!
3. Forcing shots. UE played a picture-perfect zone trap defense in the first half and La Salle took too many forced shots. In a zone defense, when you miss a shot on offense, it’s likely the zone will recover the rebound because they are already in position to BOX OUT their opponents. We took too many bad shots from way outside even the college three-point line! Can someone tell these players that you don’t have to take a shot two feet back of that line?!?
4. Slowwwww… I would like to see more crisp ball movement when in the attacking half. Too many times I saw our boys standing around, not moving, holding onto the ball. When attacking a zone, you have to be quick with your passes on the outside perimeter to move the defense around to a point where they will inevitably leave one player open. I would demand a quicker pace of play!
5. Answer me this: what is the ONE thing you can’t coach? Anybody?
Speed! You can’t coach speed!
La Salle came back in the second half because they let the #12 play (I think his name is Tolentino) point and what a difference he made! His speed broke the zone defense and put UE in a real bind! In the end, we lost because the breaks went their way (and let’s face it, good teams find ways to win these types of games) but what changed in the second half was we finally put some speed on the court and that made all the difference in the world! Pumaren can’t coach speed but he can recognize that it works and hopefully, going forward, he’ll let speed help the team do better.
September 1st, 2009 - 21:25
James G, I believe you are mistaken when you posted that speed is the one thing you can’t coach. Don’t get me wrong on this because we are all La Salle supporters.
If you are an avid NBA or US NCAA fan, which I had been since the time of Larry Bird in the early 80s, the one thing you cannot coach or teach as most, if not all, basketball experts say is LENGTH.
Between speed and length, the former wears off through time while the latter will remain to be permanent.
To coach Franz, if you are reading all our posts in this particular topic, I believe that we are one in saying “PLAY THE ROOKIES!”
ANIMO LA SALLE!!!
September 2nd, 2009 - 09:47
Bleedgreen, If by “LENGTH” you mean “HEIGHT” then you are right. Of course, you can’t coach height otherwise I haven’t a clue what you mean by “LENGTH”! Now, if you ask anyone with a clue about athletics, you realize that speed cannot be taught.
September 2nd, 2009 - 23:51
In the NBA, they don’t usually use the word HEIGHT. Instead they use the word LENGTH. Of course, both words are interchangeable to them.
We are definitely on the same page.
September 3rd, 2009 - 18:15
Bleedgreen, all due respect but, I live in the States and have NEVER ONCE heard anyone in the NBA use the word LENGTH to describe HEIGHT! BSDs maybe, but not when referring to height! Maybe I’m just ass-backwards???