From suspension to champion.
After a year of absence, La Salle, unexpectedly, regained its throne in the 70th UAAP Senior Men’s basketball tournament last October 7, 2007.
The De La Salle University Green Archers has done the improbable in a best-of-three championship series by completing a two-game sweep – a 73-64 win in Game two – over the University of the East Red Warriors at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Green Archers, armed with a one-game advantage, used the free throw territory as its main course particularly in the fourth quarter, supplied long-time mentor Franz Pumaren his fifth UAAP title since 1998.
The Green Archers now have seven overall UAAP titles since joining the league in 1986.
“I won several championships in the past but it is bittersweet for me because I know now how it feels to beat your brother,” said Pumaren, also a Quezon City councilor. “If I can share half of our trophy, I can give it to UE because they also deserve it.”
“Cholo (Villanueva) is terrific, especially in the last three games including our playoff game against Ateneo while you should also give credit to TY (Tang),” he said. “Our championship experience did it for us.”
“They could have been playing now in the commercial leagues but they decided to stay with us, it’s so priceless to win a championship.”
University of the East, with a 14-0 record going into this series, performed fairly well in the defensive end but had 21 turnovers – including two in the final three minutes – that cost them the run for the title.
The Red Warriors also gave up 28 fouls, giving the Green Archers the opportunity to register 27-of-36 shots from the foul line. La Salle committed 18 fouls and UE only recorded 5-of-14 attempts from the free throw line.
UE committed a season-high 31 turnovers to drop Game one via a single point, 64-63.
After racing to a 15-11 lead in the first period, La Salle’s big man Rico Maierhofer and Peejay Barua merged for 14 points in the second quarter to ignite the Green Archers’ blistering 19-12 burst and earned their biggest lead by halftime, 34-23.
The Red Warriors tried as many times to trim down the gap in the 3rd quarter. With Kelvin Gregorio, Paul Lee and Mark Borboran at the helm, the Red Warriors were very close trailing by 1, 33-34 after 4 1/2 minutes of play in the 3rd. UE again had another run courtesy of Elmer Espiritu and Jorel Canizares for a 3-point deficit, 43-46, with 1:16 minutes to go. But the Green Archers had an answer to every UE rally.
In the final quarter, when Mark Borboran drained a long trey at the left flank to come closer at 51-52 with 8:31 minutes remaining, La Salle countered with a 9-4 run initiated by Casio’s triple and baskets from Villanueva and Tang to stretch back the lead, 61-55, with 5:21 minutes left in regulation.
UE’s combo guard Paul Lee scored two straight baskets to keep everything in striking distance, 59-61, with 2:05 minutes left in the last quarter. But Tang and Casio had their eyes focused on the prize anew and extended the edge, 66-59, with 51 seconds left.
From there, the Red Warriors lost control and could do nothing. La Salle’s gallery was celebrating chanting the Animo cheer.
Joseph Casio, who had 14 points (15 points in the 2nd half) shared the Finals MVP honors with Cholo Villanueva contributing 17 points for La Salle.
Maierhofer had 11 points – nine from the charity stripe – and grabbed 11 boards. While TY Tang had 8 points.
Borboran and Lee made 12 points each for UE, while Kelvin Gregorio added 11 points.
Individual Scores:
DLSU (73) – Casio 17, Villanueva 14, Maierhofer 11, Tang 8, Co 6, Barua 6, Malabes 5, Cua 2, Mangahas 2, Walsham 2, Atkins 0, Ferdinand 0.
UE (64) – Borboran 12, Lee 12, Gregorio 11, Cañizares 8, Martinez 8, Arellano 5, Espiritu 5, Fampulme 3, Lingganay 0, Bandaying 0, Llagas 0, Thiele 0.
Quarter Scores: 15-11; 34-23; 52-45; 73-64
Showing posts with label La Salle Green Archers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label La Salle Green Archers. Show all posts
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.
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.
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.
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.
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