Green Archers eye second seed, twice-to-beat advantage against FEU

With the UAAP Season 77 Men’s Basketball tournament almost in its Final Four phase, the remaining teams hope to stay alive and avoid elimination, as they all aim to be one of the two fortunate squads to earn a finals berth.

For the defending champions, the DLSU Green Archers, winning their last game of the eliminations against the NU Bulldogs secured their spot in the Final Four. However, emerging victorious against their co-semifinalists, the FEU Tamaraws, in a playoff for the second seed and the twice-to-beat advantage would bring them a few steps closer to a return to the UAAP Finals.

Last year’s race

For the second straight season, DLSU and FEU are once again in the same battleground for the second spot and the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. Last UAAP 76, both squads ended the elimination round with a 10-4 win-loss record that pushed for a playoff for the second seed.

The Green Archers won against the Tamaraws in the playoff game, 74-69, to claim the number two spot and the twice-to-beat advantage, while FEU, who was then bannered by star players Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia, landed at the third spot. Former Green Archer LA Revilla paved the way for La Salle with his season-high 20 points backed by Jason Perkins’ 14 points and seven rebounds and Jeron Teng’s double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.

In their semifinals meeting, La Salle overcame FEU’s 11 point lead in the final quarter to take the victory and the first ticket to the finals, 71-68. Revilla and Teng once again led the Green-and-White with 15 points apiece while Norbert Torres added 11 markers. Rebounds played a big role in La Salle’s win as they out-rebounded the Tamaraws by 12, 51-39. Perkins led the rebounding department of his team with 11 rebounds.

Repeating history

Teng is always expected to take the lead in terms of offense for the Green Archers as he is one of the team’s consistent top scorers. However, he was hospitalized a few days ago due to mild dengue but as per recent reports, he will be able to play on Sunday against FEU. With Teng still in the process of recovering from sickness, every member of the team needs to step up especially the veterans, and coach Juno Sauler may dig deep into his bench.

Almond Vosotros is gradually regaining his game, along with Arnold Van Opstal who suffered from an Achilles heel injury. In their latest victory against NU, Vosotros made three shots out of four attempts from the three point line to lead the Green Archers for a total of 15 points. Meanwhile, Van Opstal backed him with a season-high 14 points.

N. Torres is also consistently fulfilling his tasks for La Salle in the offensive and defensive ends. Perkins has been limited in terms of offense lately but keeps on getting the needed rebounds for the team. With reliable assists from the senior players, prized rookies, Julian Sargent and Prince Rivero, make sure that every playing minute and opportunity given to them count.

Mike Tolomia and Mac Belo are the main men taking charge of the Tamaraws, but other players in the roster are always rising up to the occasion. Together with the other starters, the points of FEU will also come from their bench starting with Roger Pogoy who had 15 points in their recent game against the ADMU Blue Eagles. The Tamaraws filed a protest against that match up, but the plea being rejected might give them some drive to give it all against La Salle.

The Green Archers haven’t won a single game against FEU this season. Meeting each other for the third time, at this point in semifinals, will surely be a lot different compared to their previous match ups. Will the Green Archers be able to repeat what happened last season or will the Tamaraws continue their winning streak against the defending champions?

Their virtual best-of-three semifinals series will begin this Sunday, September 21, at 3:30 pm in the Mall of Asia Arena.