First here are some postgame quotes from last Thursday’s game
Franz Pumaren
- On the game today:
“This might still be doable (final 4 slot berth). Of course we still are dependent on the other teams and we still have to win the next 2 games” - On James Mangahas’ performance:
“He played well, he responded to the challenge, maybe you are wondering how come I put him late in the game, normally he comes off the bench, but during the 1st 2 quarters you can see the young guys played well that’s why I was not able to give an opportunity to him to play. That is a mark of a good player, sitting on the bench the longest time but accepting the challenge. I think we were fortunate right now to finish the game strong. As you see looking back on the games we lost, we lost during the crucial part of the game. Being a young team, I think that is understandable, but of course we try to learn from our mistakes.” - On their Final 4 hopes:
”Well we have to take care of our own business first. We have to pray that the other teams would be able to beat UST, Adamson and UE. Our destiny is not in our hands right now, UE also need to realize that they still have a good chance of getting the twice to beat, why? because we play FEU, if we were lucky enough to beat the top FEU, they will go down 3 losses, and remember they still have to beat Ateneo. So worst case scenario, UE has a good chance to gain the twice to beat advantage” - On James Mangahas again:
“Well let’s put it this way. it has been a roller coaster ride for him, I think what we need right now is consistency. Through experience we will be able to learn to play consistently” - On being able to beat UST this season
”I think we match up pretty well with UST, they don’t really have a pretty dominant big guy, they have a more of a swing type big guy, well I think that is an advantage that we can match up with him.” - On their game against FEU this Saturday:
“It’s gonna be tough, like what i mention, they are playing well, I think they are on a mission this year. They are loaded with veteran players and you can say that RR is not a rookie dahil 3rd year college na yan. It is gonna be hard, but it is still doable” - On the team’s new haido:
“Well it is not a sort of punishment; it is solidarity among the players to show that we are on one goal, to finish the season strong”
James Mangahas
- On his game today:
“Last few days parang hindi ako nag reresponse, buti today nabigyan ulit ako ng chance para ipakita ung skills ko” - On his winning 3-pointer:
“Parang nakita ko ung clock winding down na then nasa isip ko na makuha ung bola and gagawa ako way para mashoot yung bola tapos nakita ko ayun may space kaya tinira ko kompyansa nalang na papasok ung 3” - On their Final 4 hopes:
”Oo kaya lalaban tayo!” - On their game against FEU this Saturday:
“Sila ung pinaka veteran na team dito sa UAAP. Madami silang veteran na players. Basta gagawin namin lahat ng capabilities namin and play as a team, lalaban kami sa kanila.” - On not being fielded in during the first half:
”Sabi ni coach Franz chinachallenge niya ako. Hindi ako nawalan ng pag asa. Alam ko na anytime huhugutin niya ako from the bench kahit hindi na niya ako ginamit ng 1st half, actually 4th quarter na ako ginamit and nag response naman.”
Now for tomorrow’s game
- The Bald Archers have finally shaken those cobwebs in yesterday’s hard-earned victory over UST. Now within striking distance on the Growling Tigers for the last Final 4 slot, the team will have their hands full against the much tougher FEU Tamaraws this Saturday.
- The Tams defeated the Archers 65-51 last July 18 and it will definitely take a lot more effort that the previous game to hurdle these guys. Despite already being sure of a slot in the Final 4, the Tams are still not assured of a twice to beat edge yet so they will take this game as seriously as the Archers.
- The Archers’ outside sniping clicked last time around. Problem is, it that fails, we don’t have too much inside offense to rely upon. It is critical that they remain hot from the perimeter.
- Barring any unexpected outcome in their final assignment against NU, this game against FEU has got to be the biggest challenge for the Archers if they don’t want their season to end before the Cheerdance Competition. A loss against the Tams may just be the final straw in this roller coaster season 72.