Tall Archers vs speedy Tigers: Duel for ultimate prize begins

MANILA, Philippines - T he final chapter in the tightly fought UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball wars couldn’t have found a better script: A well-equipped team on a hot roll and tipped as the likely next most dominant school against a never-say-die squad with the uncanny knack for rocking the established order.

Rampaging La Salle, unbeaten in their last nine outings, and resurgent University of Santo Tomas, the first ever No. 4 seed to beat the top seed and reach the finals, fire the opening blast in their best-of-three-title showdown today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Both teams are seeking their dates with destiny.

The Green Archers have set their arrows on a first men’s crown since 2007 while the Tigers go on a prowl for a follow-up to their last diadem in 2006 as they dispute the coveted crown held by Ateneo the last five years.

Observers gave the La Sallians the slight edge in this contest, owing to their confidence from their nine-game streak and a bulkier frontline boasting of Norbert Torres, Arnold Van Opstal and Jason Perkins. 

But the roaring Tigers’ playoffs experience – and their never-say-die attitude – something that served them well when they ousted the Eagles from the semis and toppled No. 1 National U twice in the Final Four – could come into play for the upset-conscious Thomasians.

The Tigers are on the hunt for the distinction of being the lowest ever seed to win a UAAP title in the Final Four era.

“Everything will depend on preparation and game day performance. Whoever prepares better and executes the game plan better during the game itself will make the difference,” DLSU’s first year coach Juno Sauler said.

“Sanay na kaming dehado, pero sa series ito, pantay na lahat, walang may advantage. Sila may win streak, kami rin meron, may experience kami, sila rin meron (We’re used to being the underdogs. But I think we’re on even terms in this series, no one enjoys the advantage. They have a win streak, we also have a win streak; we have experience, they have experience, too),” said UST coach Pido Jarencio.

Just to show how evenly-matched the finals protagonists are, they split their two meetings this season, with UST prevailing in overtime last June 29, 63-59, and DLSU getting back with a 69-64 triumph last Sept. 14.

“Since last year pa, talagang dikit ang mga laban namin ng La Salle, buzzer-beater, overtime. Pati yung two games this season, isang overtime, isang decided by five points. Siguro kasi medyo even yung match-up namin. Sila medyo malaki, kami mabilisan. Magandang matchup ito (It’s always a close game everytime we play La Salle. This year alone, one of our games went into overtime, the other was decided by five points. Goes to show that we’re pretty evenly matched up. They have big men, we have speedy players),” said UST skipper Jeric Teng.

Stats from their faceoffs showed how La Salle’s frontliners have dominated their UST counterparts under the boards, 52-44 in the first game and 53-41 in the second. DLSU enjoys the edge in offensive rebounds, 17-9 and 19-9 in the two games and naturally gets the upperhand in second chance points, averaging 14 against UST’s 3 .

Torres accounts for 13 rebounds and 10 points a game against UST, with Perkins accounting for 8.5 rpg and 10 ppg and Van Opstal is good for five rpg and as many points per outing. Karim Abdul carries the fight for the Tigers underneath with 11 rebounds and 17.5 points and needs to get a lot more support. Backup Paulo Pe has shown some muscle one time against La Salle, grabbing 12 boards in their opening day game.

The Tigers look to run more, as shown by their average in fastbreak points, 8 versus 4.5, but it’s pretty much even in the other departments.

Then there’s the heart of the Thomasians that has brought them this far.

“For us it’s not going to be easy. UST is a strong team talaga. Nakita niyo naman tinalo nila NU twice (We all saw how they beat NU twice) so UST is a tough team to beat,” said Jeron Teng, the top scorer for DLSU with norms of 14.5 markers and 8.5 assists versus UST.

Jeron and his elder brother over at the UST camp – fifth-year skipper Jeric – are looking forward to this rare opportunity to dispute the UAAP crown.

“Kelangan manalo ako, kung hindi baka sa PBA na ulit ako makabawi sa kanya (I have to win this one, otherwise, I might have to wait until the PBA to get even with him),” said Jeron. 

“He will probably brag about this for the rest of our lives if I lose to him,” said Jeric, who averages 16.5 points, four rebounds and 3.5 assists against DLSU.

The brothers have even gone to playing mind games in the leadup to their finals duel.

“I keep saying sorry in advance because we will win the championship,” said Jeron. 

To which Jeric replied: “Sinasabi lang niya yun para mawala nerbyos nya, kinakabahan siguro sya kaya nya sinabi yun. Tignan natin sa Wednesday (He’s just saying it because he’s nervous and wary of us. We’ll see on Wednesday).”