Lady Archers remain undefeated
The De La Salle University Lady Archers stayed unbeaten in the first round of eliminations in the UAAP Season 76 women’s basketball division by beating the University of the East Amazons, 63-35.
The Lady Archers blasted the Amazons from the get-go as Trisha Piatos and Nicole Garcia combined three triples in the first quarter set the tone as La Salle established an early 19-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked behind to establish a double-digit lead from the start of the second quarter until the end of the game.
UE did not have any free throw basket and attempts in the first quarter while La Salle on the other hand, converted six of their eleven attempts from the charity stripe in the first quarter. The Lady Archers also forced the Amazons to commit 9 turnovers in the opening period, scoring 9 points as well from UE’s turnovers.
From then on, it was just cruise control mode for Coach Tyrone Bautista’s wards establishing 27-point leads at two points in the game, one at the 4:47 mark of the third quarter at 44-17 and another with 55 seconds left in the third quarter as well at 50-23. The Lady Archers’ biggest lead of the game was 31 points with the score at 56-25 with 8:26 to go in regulation period.
Ara Abaca led the Lady Archers with another double-double performance with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Gunner Trisha Piatos scored 12 points with two triples. The Amazons were led by Bienca Ramos with 12 markers and 10 boards. The Amazons shot 2-for-20 from the three ball region.
The Lady Archers’ next and remaining assignments in the first round of eliminations will be their tests so far as they will face the NU Lady Bulldogs (which currently stand second in the standings with a 4-1 record) and the defending champions, the FEU Lady Tamaraws (also unbeaten at 5-0).
Box Scores:
DLSU 63 – Abaca 18, Piatos 12, Garcia 6, Oyao 5, Claro 5, Vergara 4, Santos 4, Ramos 3, Revillosa 2, Ong 2, Corcuera 2, Scott 0, Pineda 0, Ong 0, Melendres 0, Gonzales 0.
UE 35 – Ramos 12, Mendina 5, Doqueza 5, Ventura 4, Valdez 4, Domino 3, Sto. Domingo 2, Llosala 0, Ano-os 0.
Quarter scoring: 19-7, 34-17, 50-25, 63-35.
Junior Archers’ win streak ends
The De La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers (4-1) absorbed its first setback in the elimination round of the UAAP Season 76 Juniors Basketball division in the hands of their bitter arch-rivals, Ateneo Blue Eaglets, 73-68.
Michael Nieto posted a double-double with 19 points and 24 rebounds while Thirdy Ravena led the Blue Eaglets in scoring with 25 points to improve their record to 2-2 in the first round of eliminations.
The Junior Archers just did not have a body or bodies to match Nieto’s energy and positioning inside the paint as the Blue Eaglets outrebounded the Junior Archers, 58-33. DLSZ just can’t hit their perimeter shots as well. The Junior Archers only shot 38% from the 2-point area (19-for-50) in the game.
The Junior Archers had to thank the turnover points department as it kept them in the game, outscoring the Blue Eaglets in that department, 19-10. Ateneo has more turnovers as well in the game, 29-13 but DLSZ just could not capitalize on their sorry misses from layups and from the 10-12 foot area.
Henri Subido paced the Junior Archers with 25 points as well supported by Alfonso Banzon with 22 points but most of DLSZ’s points came from the perimeter on half court sets which was not enough to overturn their the Blue Eaglets.
Box Scores:
ADMU 73 – Ravena 25, Nieto 19, Escaler 8, Mendoza 7, Black 6, Ramos 5, G. Joson 2, Mamuyac 1, Salandanan 0, Magpoc 0, L. Joson 0, Jose 0, Calilung 0.
DLSZ 68 – Subido 25, Banzon 22, Melecio 10, Maldinger 4, Romero 2, Cabarrus 2, Abanilla 2, Sajulga 1, Quintos 0, Paraiso 0, Isaac 0.
Quarter Scores: 21-18, 42-36, 56-50, 73-68
Archer’s free throw woes remains an enigma for shooting coach
Asst Coach Allan Caidic remains baffled on why the Archers continue to struggle from the foul line despite doing relatively well in practice. In their last defeat, La Salle made just 3 of 11 free throws.
“We have been repeating it in practice, but in the games, I don’t know,” said a flabbergasted Caidic, noting that free throw problems were the reason for the Green Archers’ three losses. “Talagang very frustrating.”
Caidic, who still holds the record of the most number of points in a PBA game at 79, even admitted that he, at times, questions his own ability to help players make their shots.
“Sometimes, I’m thinking to myself, ano ba ang ginagawa kong mali. Am I not good enough for them to make them better?” Caidic admitted.
Caidic said the Green Archers have been emphasizing free throws in practice. But as the team struggles to connect from the line during games, he thinks it is now more of a mental thing for them.
“They are doing extra free throws. Bottom line is that they have to make it in the game. They have to feel that they can make them,” said Caidic.
“That’s a chain reaction. Even ’yung mga matataas ang percentage, sila pa ’yung nag-mimiss kaya nag-co-compound,” said Caidic.