Having a consistent game will be the Adamson Falcons’ goal when they face the La Salle University Green Archers today at the Araneta Coliseum.
This was missing in the first round of the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippine men’s basketball tournament when the Falcons absorbed a 78-79 overtime setback to the Green Archers.
“We just have to be consistent, avoid lapses down the stretch. If you look at the stats of the last game, we completely dominated the stats. It’s just the breaks of the game and lapses during the course of the game. But, it’s a learning experience for us,” said Falcons coach Franz Pumaren.
The Falcons are looking forward to another streak of victories after their 89-59 smashing of the National University Bulldogs in their 2 p.m. clash with the Green Archers.
Their sixth win in eighth matches put them in a share of the lead with the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles, who will miss three teammates when they meet the Far Eastern University Tamaraws at 4 p.m.
The Green Archers, who have the same 5-3 card in second spot with FEU, are looking forward to another great showing from Andrei Caracut, who is now on his senior year.
A lot is expected of Caracut, 5’11” guard, in terms of leadership.
Caracut plays 25 minutes a game with averages of 8.0 ponts, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
Against La Salle in the first round, Caracut had eight points.
This time, Green Archers’ coach Louie Gonzalez wants Caracut to bring his game to another level, now that he is a co-captain with Kib Montalbo.
“Sinabihan ko nga siya yesterday na, ‘Andrei, you need to change whatever you’re doing right now, because it’s different now,’” said Gonzalez after his team beat Adamson in their first-round encounter.
Caracut did just that when La Salle pulled off a 79-59 demolition of the University of the East Red Warriors with his season-high 16 points, six rebounds and two assists.
They will miss a suspended Thirdy Ravena and injured Nieto brothers Mike and Matt when they go for their seventh win in nine games.
Ravena was handed a one-game suspension by commissioner Junel Baculi after throwing a closed fist at Paul Desiderio last Oct. 14 during the Blue Eagles’ 83-66 win over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
He will be one of three players who will serve one-game suspensions this weekend, with Arvin Tolentino of FEU and University of the Philippines’ Javi Gomez de Liano also sanctioned.
It was Ravena second infraction since last season. This has also disqualified him for the season 94 MVP race and from any individual awards.