After riding through tight games in the first round, the DLSU Green Archers had their first blowout win of the season with a convincing 73-52 victory over the UE Red Warriors last August 25 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With this win as the second round opener, the Archers improved to a 5-3 record, knotting the team with the NU Bulldogs in the standings.
Without captain LA Revilla and premier forward Yutien Andrada, the Archers managed to pace the game wide open in the second half through their solid defense and well-run offense.This dominating victory marks the end of the Taft-based squad’s second round slump against the Warriors, which they had not been able to beat in the past two seasons’ second round matches.
“We lost L.A. and Yutien in this game, but I’m very proud of the boys because they stepped up and they filled in when they were needed,” said Head coach Gee Abanilla as he praised all his players, who really provided the right intensity for the game.
Battle of errors
The game was marred with plenty of turnovers; behind those 23 turnovers were 14 points converted by UE.
Meanwhile, the Recto quintet committed 15 errors which resulted to 12 easy points for the Archers, helping them to keep the game close before eventually pulling it away.
“I think this win against UE is the first time na naging medyo komportable. Yung other games kasi close palagi,” adds coach Abanilla.
Unsung Archers
With floor general Revilla and the lanky Andrada carrying most of the scoring load leading to as much as 20 points a game, a lot of the guys had to raise their game to make amends for the absence of the two key players.
Arnold Van Opstal and Jovet Mendoza took charge of the void spot of Andrada in the middle as they combined for 20 points and 20 rebounds.
Van Opstal’s momentum-swinging throw down over Chris Javier in the seven minute mark ignited a 14-9 midway to the last canto, as the Archers placed the exclamation point to end the game.
Jeron Teng and Norbert Torres produced their expected outputs as they both notched impressive double-doubles, with the former pouring in 16 markers and grabbing 10 boards, while the latter scored 10 points and 11 boards.
Breaks of the game
The Archers had finally capitalized on the different breaks given to them, unlike their previous matches where they finished with close distances.
Despite being down by one in the opening period due to numerous turnovers, they had gotten back in the second to secure their own lead which then stood at seven.
Heading into the second half, the Archers came in like a well-oiled machine leading by as much as 13 points twice, but the Recto-based squad refused to give up cutting the lead just by nine at the end of the third frame, 50-41.
Going in the payoff period, it seemed that the Abanilla-mentored squad could not back down, and the boys in red were unable to recover against the Archers, even with 5:46 still left when they led the charge, 63-45.
Looking ahead
After a painful 84-82 double overtime loss last August 4, the Archers look to redeem themselves against Karim Abdul and the rest of the UST Growling Tigers this coming Wednesday, 12 noon, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Medyo mahirap talagang kalaban ang UST. [They are a] very strong team in all positions. We still have to prepare against them,”said coach Abanilla. “We’ll enjoy this game then saka kami magpeprepare.”
The scores:
DLSU (73) – Teng 16, Van Opstal 12, N. Torres 12, Vosotros 8, Mendoza 8, Webb 7, T. Torres 4, Manguera 4, Reyes 2, Paredes 2, Tallo 0, Dela Paz 0.
UE (52) – Sumang 17, Belleza 16, Javier 8, Flores 5, Alberto 2, Santos 2, Hernandez 2, Sumido 0, Villarias 0, Valdez 0, Galanza 0, Duran 0, Duncil 0.
Quarterscores: 15-16, 31-24, 50-41, 73-52
The Green Archers dedicated this game to the late former DILG secretary and LaSallian alumnus Jesse Robredo by wearing an attached yellow cloth with his initials printed on it.