La Salle confident of finishing job

Even the great Sherlock Holmes could find the Case of the Disappearing Green Archers a tough one to crack.

And De La Salle coach Franz Pumaren cautioned the vanishing "Houdinis" in his team to make their appearance tomorrow before all is lost.

Cool as a cat despite getting backed against the wall by a flock of tenacious Blue Eagles who refused to get shooed away Thursday from a date with University of the East in the UAAP Finals, Pumaren expressed confidence the Green Archers will find their mark in the do-or-die with Ateneo tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.

But first they have to string their bows and load their arrows, a feat La Salle has to accomplish as a team, not as a bunch of talented individuals.

"I’m confident we can win it," said Pumaren, a day after the Green Archers suffered a shocking 65-64 loss to the Blue Eagles in a game La Salle firmly controlled going to the last two minutes.

"We just have to come out strong and sustain our intensity."

The entire Green Archer team, from the stars down to the role players, is well-advised to heed their coach’s call to come out as one.

"The last 16 games, there was not a single game that everyone played well in. Every game, only two or three rose to the challenge. We have to play solid to beat Ateneo," said Pumaren, who has won four titles with La Salle squads that were the embodiment of total commitment to team play.

The 44-year-old Quezon City councilor remains steadfast to his faith in his players though.

"There will be no major changes. If any, it will be very minimal. It’s all about heart and determination to win the game."

The Archers and the Eagles clash for the fifth time this season at 3 p.m., a rivalry that has expanded into an epic showdown.

La Salle, back in the UAAP after serving a one-year suspension for fielding ineligible players four years ago, was two minutes and 20 seconds away from sealing a championship berth two days ago.

JV Casio split his free throws to give the Green Archers a six-point lead, 64-58.

But La Salle kept the bird cage slightly open and the Blue Eagles surged out like avenging Furies.

Chris Tiu nailed a three-pointer and Claiford Arao made a jumper that closed the gap at 63-64. After Bader Malabes missed a running jumper, Tiu came through with his game-winning lay-up with 7.3 seconds, 65-64.

Malabes missed an ill-advised 3-pointer when they only needed a 2-point basket and the Green Archers found themselves shattered beyond words.

"We’re disappointed but not really upset. We’re still believing. Everybody will just have to step up and contribute," Pumaren said.

The winner of the La Salle-Ateneo match will advance to the best-of-three Finals against the Red Warriors, mentored by another Pumaren — Franz’s younger brother Dindo.

The Red Warriors earned an outright Finals berth after sweeping the two-round elimination, a 14-0 card that earned for them a trip to the finals since losing to the Archers in the 1990 championship.