For the Tamaraws, they could make it a rallying point to claim the UAAP seniors crown in Game Two today while the Archers could put it behind them to stay focused and extend the best-of-three series to a sudden death.
Gametime is at 3:30 p.m. before an expected huge throng at the Araneta Coliseum.
"I expect the players to be more inspired because of what happened, especially Arwind ( Santos) ," said FEU coach Bert Flores, referring to his wiry, talented player who is a shoo-in for a second MVP plum.
Santos is the main figure in the post-game controversy when he was slugged on the back of his head by La Salle assistant team manager Manny Salgado after the Tams had secured a 75-73 decision.
It nearly triggered a free-for-all, prompting the UAAP board to ban the La Salle official for life.
Salgado said he was just trying to break up Santos and Archer Joseph Yeo, who were jawing at each other at endgame, but lost his cool when the FEU mainstay said some bad words. He later apologized to the UAAP board, to the Tams and the La Salle community.
Despite the loss and the controversy, La Salle mentor Franz Pumaren remains optimistic as he tries to steer the team to a deciding third game.
"I’m confident we can still bounce back, we’re capable of turning things around," said Pumaren, who beat the Tams to claim the championship last year.
That bitter FEU defeat has haunted Santos through the off-season as he vowed to lead the Tamaraws to the victory and exact revenge on the Archers.
" I didn’t join the PBA because of this so I’ll go all out for my team ," said Santos in Filipino.
He played his role as FEU’s take-charge guy to the hilt in Game One, chalking up 29 points that included five crucial ones — a triple that tied it at 73-all and a tip-in off a Mark Isip miss from behind the arc that won it — with less than a minute to go.
The Lubao, Pampanga native even drew praises not only from his coach, but also from Pumaren.
"Arwind played well," said the Quezon City councilor.
To prevent a repeat of that ugly Game 1 incident, technical committee chair Ricky Palou of Ateneo said referees would call it close and minimize taunting and trash-talking from players that had led to volatile and explosive matches in the past.
"Warning muna. Pag-inulit, technical foul na," Palou said.
Also, players and team members will be asked to line up and shake hands at center court before and after the match similar to what is traditionally done in volleyball games.