The Green Archers had a quick 2-0 start to the season, but from that start on, it has been nothing more but disappointing finishes, especially as they are now on a three-game skid heading on the duel against the Adamson Falcons.
DLSU’s three losses include two highly-contested close ones that ended up on a disappointing finish, one of which was against the UST Growling Tigers last Saturday.
Adamson University, on the other hand, bowed down to the fast rising National University Squad, and gained their third setback in four games.
With both teams struggling for another victory, anticipate an exciting showdown between these two explosive teams.
The heartbreaking loss to UST exposed DLSU’s youth, by which they failed to execute well down the stretch, with costly turnovers, letting the Tigers dominate on the offensive rebounding side.
The Falcons land on an unusual bottom half team on the team standings heading to this match-up.
After their tight win against a feisty UP Fighting Maroons team, they had their worst loss of the season so far against National U, where they lost by a margin of 15, even behind a huge 20 point, 15 rebound effort from Cameroonian Emmanuel Mbe.
Previous encounters
Season 74’s two matches between these two teams landed in favor of the Falcons.
The Falcons, due to poor shooting from the Green Archers, won the first game.
Straight lay-ups, wide open jumpers, and free throw woes hurt the Archers’ chance of winning that ball game 58-66.
An unfortunate ending performance in the second round, at least on the part of theGreen Archers, was seen when their hard-earned 22-point comeback came up short on a 66-68 disappointing finish.
The ensuing possessions just went the way of the Falcons where Alex Nuyles buried that dagger shot that eventually won the game for Adamson.
Here are the things to watch out for in this upcoming match.
Capitalize on opponent’s loss
The Falcons did not just lose big time on their last game, but they also lost a vital player in Alex Nuyles, who suffered from a recurrence of his shoulder injury in their previousgame.
The recurrence seemed to blow up the Falcon’s chances of going head-to-head against the Bulldogs, who were shooting lights out the entire game.
Alex Nuyles, a decent shooter and an improved passer, would be a devastating loss on the part of the Falcons heading in the late stage of the first round, and the Green Archers should be able to capitalize on this, for them to regain their winning form once again after their recent losses.
Averaging 13 points in those two victories Adamson had over La Salle, Nuyles topped the Falcons last season, scoring wise and in assists, averaging 14.3 points per game and dishing out 3.4 dimes a game.
Attack the paint
The higher percentage shots are found in the shaded areas.
The Norbert Torres-Yutien Andrada tandem seemed to be a problem for other teams’;the Taft-based squad could rely more on easy baskets down the paint. Both Torres and Andrada pose a lot of strength down on the low block.
Averaging nine and 7.5 points per game, both big men continue to play their stellar game so far in the season
Skipper LA Revilla and rookie sensation Jeron Teng drive to the basket most of the time. Look for the two to find a way to score inside, or dish to an open teammate when defense collapses on them.
Adamson’s inside defensive weakness had been exposed in previous games, especially in their losses against Ateneo and National University. Look for the Green Archers to use their size and power to score easy points, if not get to the foul stripe.
Shoot those free throws
It has been a nightmare since the past seasons: a nightmare that the Green Archers suffered in the majority of their previous games.
In their first encounter last season, the free throw shooting struggles of the Archers were evident in that they shot a miserable nine of 23 from the charity stripe, which did not help them climb back in the ball game.
Just this season, it has cost them games like the matches against FEU and UST. Expect the Falcons to halt the offense of the Archers once the Taft-based crew puts the ball on the floor.
Tighten up the D’
Broken plays lead to isolation plays for the Falcons.
For the Green Archers to edge the Falcons, an effective way to snatch a win is to force the falcons in their isolation play, which may very well prove to be the last resort of their broken offensive sets.
Jericho Cruz, the Rizal Technological University standout, lead the Falcons in this type of play most of the time.
Though it helped them win over the UP Fighting Maroons, it wasn’t the case when they faced the Ateneo Blue Eagles and NU Bulldogs.
If the Falcons would play this way, the Green Archers could look for the specialization of Jed Manguera, who is their staple lock down man-to-man defense.
Turning it over
Turnovers play a vital role in winning basketball games.
The Adamson Falcons are the current league-leaders when it comes to turnovers, averaging almost 20 per game.
For the Green Archers to barge in the win column again, they should tighten up their defense and force the Adamson Falcons to commit turnovers.
With both teams looking to ride once again to the winning track, this first round match up between the Archers and Falcons is sure to be intensely fought.
Will the Archers’ arrows aim high? Or will the Falcons soar once more?
