UAAP: Green Archers, FEU clash in Final Four showdown

The DLSU Green Archers’ rivalries with the ADMU Blue Eagles and the UST Growling Tigers are the more popular ones given that both are La Salle’s most recent opponents in the finals. As a matter of fact, the last seven champions have either been DLSU or Ateneo, with the Growling Tigers being a part of the last two finals as well. Yet despite these numbers, one opponent has always been the first challenge for DLSU in its usual quest for the title, and they are the FEU Tamaraws.

New year, new Players, same story

The storyline is similar to last year’s, yet the circumstances surrounding the matchup are definitely different. Last season, the Green Archers were coming off a sweep of the second round and steamrolled through the Tamaraws en route to a championship. This year, FEU won the playoff and are one win away from their first finals appearance since 2011. DLSU on the other hand, failed to make up for their slow start, allowing an opportunity at the twice-to-beat advantage to slip away.

Almond Vosotros made timely three pointers in the third period to boost his contributions to 13 points and brought the Green Archers to within striking distance in the second half. Momentum stayed with DLSU in the final quarter as they made a 10-3 run, highlighted by an inside basket from Arnold van Opstal, to give them a 60-58 lead. However, the Tamaraws regained their control of the game with one minute left to play behind the efforts of Mike Tolomia and Carl Cruz to take a 65-60 victory.

Jason Perkins had 15 points and 13 rebounds but came up short as Tolomia’s performance of 19 points and eight boards brought DLSU down. Mac Belo backed Tolomia up with his own double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. Vosotros and Perkins were the only double digit scorers for the Green Archers with Jerong Teng, van Opstal, and Norbert Torres making only 7 of their 27 field goals.

Keys to victory

DLSU once again outrebounded FEU 48-39 however 20 turnovers and a bad shooting night prevented them from getting over the hump. Teng and van Opstal, who struggled from the field and had 12 of DLSU’s 20 turnovers, will be key in this do-or-die game. The Fil-German center had 14 points, six rebounds, and limited his turnovers to just two in DLSU’s victory over playoff victory over NU. Teng, who was still recovering from the effects of dengue, ended up with only nine points in that game, but he had five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. His all-around statline created opportunities for his teammates and kept the NU defense guessing. For the Green Archers to come away with a victory, they will have to do the same; move the ball around and get everyone involved.
FEU on the other hand, will continue to do what it does best: force turnovers and limit DLSU’s scoring to isolation plays. Mac Belo and Tolomia combined for 34 points and 18 rebounds and neutralized Teng and van Opstal throughout the game. Perkins may have had a solid game and Vosotros found his shooting touch; however, as a team, FEU neutralized the Green Archers, preventing the rest of the team from getting their rhythm.

A win on Saturday will keep DLSU’s title hopes alive while an FEU victory will help them validate coach Nash Racela’s formula amid the departures of former UAAP MVPs Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia. The Green Archers had the lucky hand the past two seasons as they were the usual culprits to FEU’s elimination. The Tamaraws are hoping to change that this season, as their three victories in the elimination round and in the playoff showed that the Green Archers have no answer to their execution. Come Saturday, Lasallians will hold their breath and can only hope that the Green Archers can live to fight another day.