Green Archers: Title contenders or underdogs?

MANILA, Philippines – Last season, the La Salle Green Archers were just looking to bounce back from its one-year suspension in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines. Had there been any doubt concerning the new team’s effectiveness, it was quickly erased as the Archers topped the 2007 FilOil Flying V Invitational Cup and the 2007 Nike Summer League. They also had a speedy start in UAAP season 70 paving the way for another La Salle victory and foil the UE Red Warriors’ bid of ending their own decades-long title drought. Now, with a UAAP title under its belt and early in season 71, La Salle faces a daunting task of defending the crown minus key starters TY Tang and Cholo Villanueva, who already used up their UAAP playing years. After four games in season 71, the Archers are tied with the FEU Tamaraws in second place with identical 3-1 slates behind the unbeaten record of the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ 4-0 mark. JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer have consistently carried the Archers both offensively and defensively in their first four games. But James Mangahas, Peejay Barua, Bader Malabes, and Simon Atkins stepped up big time to share the spotlight with Casio and Maierhofer. But the question remains. Does the team still have what it takes to complete its back-to-back title bid? Pre-season stint The Archers’ UAAP title bid this year was put to an early test in several pre-season tournaments where they had disappointing finishes. La Salle finished fourth in the Nike Summer League losing to archrivals Ateneo and FEU. They also placed third in the FilOil Flying V Invitational Tournament where they lost to eventual runner up and defending National Collegiate Athletic Association San Beda. Those back-to-back pre-season losses clearly showed La Salle isn’t exactly on the same road as last year. Still, La Salle will be no pushover in the league. Their frustrating pre-season campaign would not be the indication of how would they fare in UAAP season 71. There are a number of reasons why the Arches missed winning any pre-season crown. One of them is the Taft-based dribblers was still feeling its way through the tournaments with their revamped roster. La Salle has given quality minutes to its rookies and relied less on their veterans. The rookies’ contribution will be essential if the Archers wanted to keep the title it won last year when they swept the UE Red Warriors in the finals. This process is certainly not the same from team to team. Some rosters will take much longer to gel than others. Of course the key is, like last year, to peak at the right time. Currently, the Archers still have a long way to go before reaching their true potential. Pre-season injuries Injuries prevented La Salle in winning any of the pre season tournaments this year. Despite a poor showing in the pre season, the Green Archers remain one of the top title contenders in the UAAP. Casio, Atkins, Malabes, and Marko Batricevic got injured before the start of the FilOil Flying V Invitational Tournament and the Nike Summer League. The loss of Casio, Atkins, Malabes, and Batricevic kept La Salle from playing at full strength throughout the tournaments—especially in the respective playoffs. With that in mind, it will not do the team justice to say that they are not as good as they were a year ago. If anything, La Salle looks to be more than capable of defending their UAAP title as long as they are healthy, stay ready, and peak at the right time. They fought with a lot of heart and against the odds to reach deep into the playoffs of the preseason tournaments—something other teams would consider a feat in itself. Overall, the chances of La Salle reaching the finals again in the UAAP are still good but it would take a lot of work. Key Players The ever reliable Casio—the other Finals MVP—is still in the team. A true clutch player and arguably one of the best offensive guards in the league, he is the man for La Salle. Look for DLSU to get the ball to him come crunch time. Maierhofer is a double-double threat and few can match his freakish athleticism. Despite his wiry frame, he can score inside and outside as well as battle for boards. However, he is prone to fouls and has fouled out many a time last season. If he can stay on the floor and be more consistent, La Salle will be in good shape. Atkins, the Archers’ other playmaker, has shown that he is capable of running the team. He had flashes of brilliance last UAAP season proving to be very good defensively. He also figured to be a pass-first point guard but has the ability to score if the need arises. His team-first approach will greatly benefit the Archers. PJ Walsham will still be a force in the paint for DLSU. He can body up opposing big men defensively and use his strength to battle for rebounds. He is also capable of much needed inside scoring against smaller lineups. He can also get some inside help with Ferdinand still in the lineup. La Salle sports a solid lineup of wingmen in veterans Malabes James Mangahas and Peejay Barua. Mangahas has the ability to penetrate for scoring opportunities using his athleticism and quickness while Malabes and Barua can fire away from the perimeter. Rejan Lee is also still present. His speed, quickness, athleticism, and defensive prowess will be welcome should the Green and White need fresh legs of the bench. New Faces La Salle has showcased a cast of promising rookies in this year’s off-season tournaments. Maui Villanueva, a former UAAP Juniors Mythical Five member from the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) is now back in the country after graduating in Higashiyama High School in Kyoto, Japan where he also played high school basketball. He is a very smart player and has shown great promise performing well as a big man in the off-season tournaments. He can score inside, rebound, and defend well. He still has room for improvement and will definitely be a key player for DLSU in years to come. Joshua Webb, UAAP Finals MVP for last year’s junior squad, was also in the lineup. He is capable of scoring inside and outside, and being a solid rebounder, he is definitely a good catch for La Salle. He can play any position in the frontline—save center if against much taller lineups. Webb can be a little inconsistent at times but he still has a lot of potential. Hopefully, he can hone his skills playing for the La Salle. Look for him to be one of the main cogs of the Green Archers in the coming years. Another worthy addition seeing action in the off-season is Hyram Bagatsing. He played for San Beda College-Alabang and also played some basketball in the US. After recently completing his residency in DLSU, he is now ready to be fielded in the UAAP. He figured to be a shooting guard or small forward during his stint for La Salle in the preseason games. Bagatsing can drive to the hoop and shoot from downtown. He has a good offensive skill set and is now proven in the clutch as he carried DLSU on his back offensively in regulation with clutch shots in a recent off-season victory against ADMU. He is definitely capable and his future as a Green Archer looks bright indeed. Point guard LA Revilla has also shown great promise for La Salle. Despite his relatively small stature, he is undaunted by the towering cagers of opposing teams. He is arguably the team’s best ball handler and fastest player. Revilla also has a decent outside shot and, with his exceptional speed and ball handling, can slip his way past defenders and into the paint. He can pass and move the ball well and can pull off some sneaky steals. He is a high-energy guy and capable of pushing the game’s tempo in favor of the Archers—especially since De La Salle isn’t exactly up to par in the size department. More recent additions include the MVP of the Filipino Indian Basketball League 2008 Goodwill Cup MVP Manoj Chandumal at guard and forward Jovet Mendoza, last year’s juniors division mythical team member for the NU Bullpups. Champions or underdogs? With UAAP season 71 in its early stage; all eyes are on the defending UAAP Men’s Basketball Champions. They are officially every team’s measuring stick. Every game will be a statement game. But as long as La Salle plays their brand of basketball (gritty defense, team play, and offensive execution) and as long as UAAP coaching legend Franz Pumaren roams the sidelines, they will most certainly be legitimate title contenders—but not favorites. For now archrival Ateneo Blue Eagles, with a very tall lineup oozing with veteran and rookie talent holds that spot with the UE Red Warriors not far behind. Having already tasted defeat at the hands of the Eagles in their very first game, things already didn’t go smoothly for the team. But, as always, La Salle bounced back and emerged hungrier than ever—finding their range and downing the much improved FEU Tamaraws. It will be a learning process all throughout the season for this year’s team. It’s a matter of peaking at the right time. Does La Salle have what it takes to win the UAAP title? Of course…just like the rest of the elite UAAP teams. – Dean Sedrick Carlos