UAAP: Green Archers left in shambles with loss against Bulldogs

Riding the momentum after a win against the UP Fighting Maroons, the DLSU Green Archers suffered an unexpected 62-72 loss, in a highly physical game against the National University Bulldogs last September 9 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

 

With this defeat, La Salle now sports a 7-5 record, lowering the team to 5th place in the standings while National U goes up to 4th place with a 7-4 card, giving the Green-and-White squad a smaller chance for a Final Four bid.

 

Jeron Teng led the Archers with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists while Almond Vosotros tallied in 13 markers, 3 boards and an assist.

 

Coming up short-handed

Both teams grinded back and forth in the opening quarter, resulting to 5 deadlocks and 3 lead changes, with both teams ending the quarter with 15 points.

 

After missing four straight games due to a sprained left ankle, Team Captain L.A. Revilla made his return to DLSU basketball in the second; he immediately made a basket.

 

Even though Bobby Ray Parks and Emmanuel Mbe rested on the bench in the second quarter, La Salle failed to capitalize, as the Bulldogs ignited an 11-2 run courtesy of a Mark De Guzman layup.

 

Though he struggled to catch momentum earlier in the game, Vosotros scored seven straight points at the end of the canto to keep the Archers within striking distance, 45-56.

 

Entering into the fourth, the former San Sebastian standout hit a jumper to cut the NU lead 59-50. Ray Parks answered though and cashed in back-to-back buzzer beating jumpers, denying La Salle of comeback attempts.

 

 

By the numbers

Statistically, the Archers had struggled. Averaging around 24 free throw attempts per game, La Salle never got the chance in the game to make the trips to foul line, managing only 7 attempts from 25 during the two teams’ first round encounter.

 

“We’re going to get back to the drawing board, and see our flaws. It’s just that we couldn’t find a way to guard NU. We were confused on how to guard them because they were calling fouls on us,” Abanilla claimed.

 

Known as one of the premier rebounding teams in the league, the Taft-based squad saw its numbers drop as the Bulldogs grabbed 47, with the trio of Jeth Rosario, Glenn Khobuntin, and Emmanuel Mbe combining for 24 boards, compared to the Archers’ 32.

 

The Abanilla-mentored squad also committed 22 fouls down the stretch while Eric Altamirano’s wards only committed 14.

 

The raging Bulldog

Reigning UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks was unstoppable throughout the game; he notched a game-high of 32 points, half of which came from his 17-point run in the third quarter, to go along with his performance of 8 boards, 3 dimes, and 2 blocks.

 

The Bulldogs’ southpaw also shot 12 out of 14 from the foul line with an impressive 85.7 percent shooting while consistently torching the Archers with tough jumpers and an array of post moves.

 

“It threw us off because, like Bobby Parks, [when] we play defense on him, [then comes a] foul.  So if you’re going to stick [to Parks], titirahan ka ‘nun. Ang hirap eh, [but] we are going to find ways,” shared Abanilla.

 

Caging the “Bear”

The Bulldog frontline duo of Mbe and Henri Betayene, successfully neutralized Norbert Torres who only managed to tally 6 points and 6 rebounds on a rusty 3 out of 15 shooting.

 

Aside from Torres, Yutien Andrada and Jovet Mendoza also failed to find their rhythm combining for 6 points and 8 rebounds. Meanwhile, Arnold Van Opstal continued an efficient performance, finishing with 7 points and 4 rebounds.

 

“Norbert is really an important piece for us. I think he had open looks, a lot of open looks. I need to talk to the guy,” added coach Abanilla.

 

On the other hand, the Mbe-Betayene duo made its presence felt on the defensive end via a combined 4 blocks.

 

 

Crucial games ahead

For the Archers to keep its Final Four hopes alive, the team must nail victories over FEU and Adamson to end the elimination round with a 9-5 finish.

 

“A must-win situation for us. I think we still like our chances if we do things right. We [must] hurdle the last two games, FEU and Adamson, [then] we’re still going to be fine,” said DLSU Head Coach Gee Abanilla.

 

The Archers will face the Far Eastern University Tamaraws this coming Sunday 4 pm, September 16, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

 

Aside from the team’s must-win scenario, the squad needs to bank on the possibility that the Bulldogs would lose to strong teams like Ateneo and FEU in the upcoming matches to end with a possible, 8-6, record.

 

 

The scores:

DLSU (62) – Teng 20, Vosotros 13, Van Opstal 7, N. Torres 6, Mendoza 4, T. Torres 3, Manguera 3, Andrada 2, Tampus 2, Revilla 2, Webb 0.

 

NU (72) – Parks 32, Alolino 11, Rosario 6, Khobuntin 6, De Guzman 6, Mbe 4, Javillionar 4, Villamor 3, Singh 0, Roño 0, Betayene 0.

 

Quarter Scores: 15-15, 26-36, 45-56, 62-72.