After a strong finish during the first game of the best-of-three finals series, the championship just seemed a few more inches away for the DLSU Lady Archers. The second match slipped off their hands, though, after a never-say-die fightback from the NU Lady Bulldogs.
With NU preventing a two-game finals sweep of La Salle, the storyline continues, and both squads are set for the last playoff for the elusive UAAP title.
A do-or-die duel between the top two teams has been set-up. Both teams had identical 12-2 records in the eliminations. The two squads both deserve to be hailed as champions and the pivotal Game 3 rubber match will break the tie that they have had all season long.
Deadly slashes by Niky Garcia and Camille Ramos under the basket, capped with the high-precision shooting of Trisha Piatos and Ara Abaca did damage to NU during their first finals meeting. Lady Bulldog Andrea Tongco though gave La Salle a hard time as she saved the day for NU in game number two, denying the Lady Archers an early celebration.
The Lady Archers snatched the pivotal Game One of the best-of-three finals by dominating the tough NU Lady Bulldogs via a 72-48 rout. It looked as if DLSU would cruise to the championship in Game 2, however, the Lady Bulldogs put up a valiant fight and used a 14-2 run at the end of the third quarter to break away and take a 67-52 victory.
For Game 3, similar plots have been created. The Lady Archers seek to avoid another bridesmaid finish in this year UAAP finals. The NU Lady Bulldogs, on the other hand, hope to finally take the gold.
Coach Ty Bautista will rely on his prized veterans led by Mythical Team member Ara Abaca, streaky guard Trisha Piatos, steady point guard Miller Ong, and streaky shooting guard Niky Garcia.
NU’s championship hopes are pinned on their Game 1 top scorer Anne Gupilan and Game 2 hero, Andrea Tongco.
The Lady Archers were stopped by the FEU Lady Tamaraws at season’s end last year and came home with just a second place trophy. The Lady Archers have not won the coveted title since 2002, the last year of their historic four-peat.
The Lady Archers seek to end their season with a championship and end an 11-year championship drought on October 5, Saturday at 10 AM in the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
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Read our Game 1 recap at:
http://thelasallian.com/2013/09/28/uaap-lady-archers-overwhelm-nu-one-win-away-from-championship/
The second game’s recap can be read at: http://thelasallian.com/2013/10/02/uaap-lady-archers-fall-to-nu-do-or-die-match-arranged/
