Archers, Tams clash in fierce duel for lead

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle and Far Eastern face off today in an explosive showdown between the league’s hottest teams with the solo lead in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tourney at stake at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The defending champion Archers, who have hurdled their last seven assignments, and the charging Tamaraws, who have won their last four, collide at 4 p.m. with the winner getting the top spot at 8-2.

The Tams got the better of the Archers when they first met on opening day, 82-77, but a lot had happened since then.

“They’re a lot better compared when we played in the opening game,” said DLSU coach Juno Sauler of FEU. “(Mac) Belo is playing very well, (Mike) Tolomia, almost all of them. Even if we’ve grown as a team after seven games, FEU’s a lot stronger also compared to how we played them the first time.”

FEU counterpart Nash Racela is saying the same for DLSU.

“La Salle looks dangerous with a complete lineup,” Racela said, citing the return of Arnold van Opstal, Kib Montalbo and Norbert Torres from injury in the Archers’ last game. 

“We’ll prepare for them. It’s very important we stay close to the ‘perceived finalists’ Ateneo and La Salle. Right now, I think conditioning of the mind is very important. People are trying to condition that it will be Ateneo versus La Salle but we’ll try to be with them, we’ll try to crash the party,” he added.

The Archers nipped University of the Philippines in their last outing, 86-65, but Sauler had rued his wards’ “lack of focus” in the first half.

“We talk a lot with players after every game and this (UP game) will be a good one because we can show them the parts of the first half and what we’re supposed to do on defense but (didn’t because of) lack of focus,” he said.

Racela is hoping to pick up a win before leaving for Spain tonight to attend to his duties with Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup. He will be out for two matches against UP and Adamson and will be back for their Sept. 7 duel with University of the East.

“I’m confident the players are in good hands sa coaching staff. And the players are also mentally prepared for the game I will miss. I’m trusting all of them,” he said.

In the first game, struggling University of Santo Tomas (4-5) seeks to get back on track against University of the Philippines (1-8). The Tigers have lost four of their last five games and should start making their move if they want to salvage their season.

“Hindi pa naman tapos eh. Meron pa kaming remaining games. Kailangan lang namin mag-bounce back at i-motivate ’yung mga bata (We’re not out of it yet. We just have to bounce back and motivate the players in our remaining games),” said UST coach Bong dela Cruz.

Cameroonian Karim Abdul had blasted his teammates for heir “lack of pride” but dela Cruz pointed to their offensive woes as the culprit.

“Yung offense namin talagang down this year. Parang tentative ’yung movement nila. Kailangan i-improve lang namin ’yung offense namin (Our offense is off and players are tentative. That’s what we need to improve on),” said Dela Cruz.