bigfreeze_bibby
08-25-2008, 10:20 AM
Now that La Salle has dropped a crucial game last Saturday, it will be imperative for them to win their remaining three games starting against UST this Thursday. During their first round encounter, the Archers escaped with an 85-84 win wherein the Tigers exposed the weakness of Archers' pressure defense from the third to fourth canto to make the game close until the buzzer. Reigning MVP Jervy Cruz made life hard for our frontline and I am not sure at this point what would be the team's strategy on Thursday as we saw in the past games of the Archers wherein Maui Villanueva mans the pivot spot more as compared to Ferdinand and Walsham.
I am not yet sure if Casio and Atkins will play to full potential on Thursday as both men are coming from sickness and injuries respectively and will be the target of UST guards Fenequito, Allera, Mirza, Bautista, and Fortuna. Mangahas, Barua, Revilla, and Maierhofer should step up big time if they want victory and keep in pace with FEU for the other twice to beat advantage spot. Ateneo is now a sure lock to finish in first place since La Salle is their lone competitive assignment to round out the elimination round.
Missing in action players Bagatsing and Malabes should start contributing as well if DLSU wants to eke out a win on Thursday. These two might just be the x-factors to spread the defense more and remove the focus from Casio, Mangahas, Barua, and Maierhofer. Malabes has been shooting poorly at present from the three point area and has been tentative on offense as well, often passing shots and then either giving up the ball or committing a turnover. If he starts clicking then this will give us a better chance of winning ballgames. His defense though, is good which is an asset for the team as of the moment and gives him playing minutes for the Archers.
As for UST, the main problem will still be the PG position. All rookies have been taking charge at present to orchestrate UST's plays and this could be exploited by the Archers on Thursday unless Japs goes back to his tip-top shape and will once again be the number one choice at the PG position for coach Pido's wards. But then, even though La Salle did a whole second half long pressure defense on UST, it wasn't enough to dispose the Tigers and even gave the Archers a scare until Mangahas made tough shots to help DLSU get the win.
DLSU's problem will be the frontline defense on UST's athletic big men while UST's problem will be on the backcourt manning the PG spot. Both teams can't afford to lose this Thursday as it will ruin each team's objectives for the playoffs. For La Salle, a loss will mean they'd drop to third and will enable UE to catch up on them in the final four rankings while a loss for UST would mean that their door in the final four is slowly closing since they'll fall further on the number four team right now, which is UE.
I won't be surprised if the game will go to overtime this Thursday. For the supporters and the fans, please watch the game live and support our respective teams as this is a crucial point for our teams at this point of the season.
ANIMO LA SALLE!
I am not yet sure if Casio and Atkins will play to full potential on Thursday as both men are coming from sickness and injuries respectively and will be the target of UST guards Fenequito, Allera, Mirza, Bautista, and Fortuna. Mangahas, Barua, Revilla, and Maierhofer should step up big time if they want victory and keep in pace with FEU for the other twice to beat advantage spot. Ateneo is now a sure lock to finish in first place since La Salle is their lone competitive assignment to round out the elimination round.
Missing in action players Bagatsing and Malabes should start contributing as well if DLSU wants to eke out a win on Thursday. These two might just be the x-factors to spread the defense more and remove the focus from Casio, Mangahas, Barua, and Maierhofer. Malabes has been shooting poorly at present from the three point area and has been tentative on offense as well, often passing shots and then either giving up the ball or committing a turnover. If he starts clicking then this will give us a better chance of winning ballgames. His defense though, is good which is an asset for the team as of the moment and gives him playing minutes for the Archers.
As for UST, the main problem will still be the PG position. All rookies have been taking charge at present to orchestrate UST's plays and this could be exploited by the Archers on Thursday unless Japs goes back to his tip-top shape and will once again be the number one choice at the PG position for coach Pido's wards. But then, even though La Salle did a whole second half long pressure defense on UST, it wasn't enough to dispose the Tigers and even gave the Archers a scare until Mangahas made tough shots to help DLSU get the win.
DLSU's problem will be the frontline defense on UST's athletic big men while UST's problem will be on the backcourt manning the PG spot. Both teams can't afford to lose this Thursday as it will ruin each team's objectives for the playoffs. For La Salle, a loss will mean they'd drop to third and will enable UE to catch up on them in the final four rankings while a loss for UST would mean that their door in the final four is slowly closing since they'll fall further on the number four team right now, which is UE.
I won't be surprised if the game will go to overtime this Thursday. For the supporters and the fans, please watch the game live and support our respective teams as this is a crucial point for our teams at this point of the season.
ANIMO LA SALLE!