Much to the disappointment of many spectators, the DLSU Green Archers failed to make a deep run in the the Philippine Collegiate Champions League. The team was outclassed by the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 63-56, last November 15 at the Cebu Coliseum.
With hopes running high after an improbable come-from-behind, 75-72, win against Coach Aric Del Rosario and the Perpetual Altas, La Salle just couldn’t find a winning groove against the more determined Falcons squad.
This team is a very solid group of young men, and with what they contributed to the race for the general championship and what they showed to the community, definitely they will be a team to reckon with by next season,” praised OSD Director Emmanuel Calonog.
Ailing Archers
In the last PCCL tourney, the Archers won three games before succumbing to the Colegio San Juan de Letran Knights.
The conditions for the Archers this year, however, was different. The team had to play without injured Team Captain L.A. Revilla, Luigi Dela Paz, Thomas Torres, Jovet Mendoza and Mac Tallo. Moreover, the team had to play without second term graduates Joshua Webb and Jovet Mendoza, leaving the likes of Almond Vosotros, Oda Tampus, Jed Manguera and Yutien Andrada to get the lion’s share of minutes.
It’s difficult because after the UAAP they concentrated on their studies. Yung mga namiss ng mga players, but in this game we’ll be playing without two players who graduated, Joshua Webb and Jovet Mendoza. At the same time L.A. and Luigi will not be able to play because they will be undergoing some surgery. And Mac Tallo, we advised him to really concentrate on his studies. So we are down to 11 players, but we asked permission if we could use Aiki Herrera, but I think he will have less playing year,” added DLSU Head Coach Gee Abanilla.
Bright side of defeat
Despite having to play with fewer players due to numerous injuries, the Archers displayed the team’s resiliency. Several Archers however managed to stand out in the team’s short run bid.
Coming off a highly impressive rookie season in the UAAP, Jeron Teng has been a constant force in the perimeter and the low block.
In the team’s comeback win against the Perpetual Altas, the UAAP Rookie of the Year led the Archers with a game high of 19 points and six rebounds, including a highly contested basket that iced the game for a win.
Vosotros remained a solid contributor to the team as he provided the Archers with opportunistic plays and timely outside shots. He is also one of the big time clutch players in the UAAP.
Aside from the Archers’ super-rookie and sharpshooter, Norbert Torres and Van Opstal showed remarkable leaps in the Altas game as the big man duo finished the game with a combined 21 points, 21 rebounds and four blocks.
Van Opstal, arguably one of the more athletic big men in college hoops, never fails to get the Archers’ groove going with his timely slams.
Being the top rebounding team in the past UAAP season, the Archers showed the team’s mastery of the boards, managing a 42-30 rebounding advantage against the Altas.
Looking forward
With already a year under the tutelage of Coach Abanilla, the Archers look to remain as a perennial contender in college hoops.
Expect the Green-and-White squad to flourish under the Abanilla system.
