DLSU coach to focus resources on immediate challenges

A Final Four ticket was within reach for the DLSU Green Archers, but with their loss against the UP Fighting Maroons, the Taft-based squad may have to wait a little longer.

On Sunday, DLSU's next step in the competition is in the hands of Adamson Soaring Falcons and the FEU Tamaraws. An Adamson win will easily give the Archers the Final Four spot. However, should Adamson lose, FEU and DLSU will lock at 8-6 and a playoff is needed for the last Final Four slot.

For DLSU head coach Louie Gonzalez, the team's first move is gelling Taft tower Taane Samuel into the team.

"If I need to hatakin muna nang kaunti si Taane for us to get better, wala namang problema kay Taane 'yun. He knows kung nasaan place niya ngayon."

Samuel returned from injury last Sunday during their game against Ateneo and made eight points and three rebounds.

"Sa akin, hindi naman problema ang kalaban e. Problema sa ngayon team ko e. Kailangan ma-integrate yung presence ni Taane and use it to our advantage. Not to our disadvantage. Once naglalaro siya, dapat mas lumalakas kami and the four guys around him need to figure out also kung ano 'yung adjustments."

During La Salle's loss against UP, Samuel registered eight points and two rebounds.

"Maraming kayang gawin si Taane pero one thing to figure out is ano 'yung best na pwede niyang magawa para sa team namin," Gonzalez added.

Gonzalez also credited the Fighting Maroons for giving their A-game, particularly the De Liaño brothers.

"I credit UP, they really played [well] tonight. Especially 'yung pagpasok ng mga De Liano, sunod-sunod three points eh."

The De Liaño brothers Juan and Javi combined for 46 of UP's 97 total points, and made four triples each.

The rookie head coach said UP seized the best opportunity they had to make it to the Final Four.

"Since the start of the season, 'yung campaign nila of making it to the Final Four, sobra-sobra talaga nilang hinihintay. They waited 21 years for this one. This is their chance so kahit sinong tao na nandun 'yung opportunity, and this is the best opportunity na meron sila, talagang i-grab nila 'yun," he added.

Gonzalez also admitted that his team also fumbled early in the game.

"It so happened na pag ganun ang mentality ng kalaban mo, you have to play 40 minutes of disciplined basketball talaga eh. With my team, nag-fumble kami for 12 minutes in that game, I think that cost us the game."

Should La Salle make it to the Final Four, they will play rivals Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles. — BAP, GMA News