Things are not looking good for the Green Archers at the moment. Falling to 2-3 after another heartbreaking loss last Wednesday, the team has little room for error moving forward. They can’t afford another setback at this stage or it will be difficult to catch up if they wish to finish in the top 4 at the end of the elimination round.
They end their first round campaign today versus UST. The Growling Tigers (4-2) have been impressive so far this season and they look to keep on rolling.
What to Watch For
A Lot of 3-Balls. UST is leading the league in three-pointers with a 30% shooting clip. La Salle is a close second at 29%. It’s gonna be a shootout and it will probably all boil down as to which team goes cold down the stretch.
Abando and Nonoy. Both are high-energy players and are a threat on both from long range and in the open court. Containing them will be key if the Green Archers want to bring a victory today.
Containing Chabi-Yo. Not your typical post-up foreign big. What he lacks in height, he makes up for his explosiveness and consistent shooting from medium range. He will be a match-up problem.
Offensive Consistency. The Green Archers have yet to put up a complete offensive effort this season. The defense has been present in the last two games but those stretches in which they find it hard to execute on the other end (turnovers, unable to hit open shots etc) has enabled their opponents to keep the game close and have the opportunity to steal the game (Just like what UP did)
Contrapelo. La Salle has so far had UST’s number in the last 3 seasons, winning by an average of 20 plus points. And even with former coach Aldin Ayo now calling the shots over there, we have somehow still managed to beat them convincingly. Remember that 41-point massacre in Antipolo last season? Even early this year, La Salle beat them by 23 in the Filoil tournament. Of course things may be different now but the Green Archers, in recent history, appear to match up well against them.
It may not be in the pace that everyone wants, but La Salle, bit by bit, is starting to find its cohesiveness. The players are in the process of adjusting to their current roles as to what will make them effective on the floor. The coaching appears to have already identified the right mix of guys to play in long stretches. They’re getting there and it will only be a matter of time once they really start to fully gel as a team.
Hope it’s not too late though