DEFENDING champion La Salle Green Archers have to stay focused to remain in contention for another title.
From the beginning, this has been the reminder of Green Archers coach Aldin Ayo before they bowed to the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 70-76, in Game 1 of their best-of-three title series in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
This was his reminder again to members of the team going into Game 2 today following their setback to the Blue Eagles last Sunday.
Ayo recalled what brought them to the finals.
“We were focused on the game. We just remained focused the game plan, especially on defense,” said Ayo reminding his players what they needed to do to extend the series.
Game 2 is set at 4 pm at the Araneta Coliseum. The National University Lady Bulldogs will meet the University of the East Lady Warriors earlier at 11 a.m.
Season MVP Ben Mbala will need to adjust to the double teams and triple teams and other tight defensive measures that the Blue Eagles have been throwing at him during Game 1.
“We’re having drills on the double teams and triple teams. We’re looking for ways to find the open guy. That’s what I’ve been trying to do,” said Mbala.
On the other hand, holding their ground against the Green Archers’ pressing game is something that the Ateneo Blue Eagles have finally adjusted to.
And, this is just one of the adjustments that the Blue Eagles successfully made in Game 1.
Limiting the production of big man Ben Mbala and his substitute Abu Tratter is another.
“I thought it was telling that Mbala and Tratter played 57 minutes in this game and had eight fouls. (Chibueze) Ikeh and George (Go) played 38 minutes and had nine fouls and we consider that a victory somehow. That’s crazy to think of that as some kind of victory, but when you play La Salle, it is. I don’t expect we’ll have to think any differently going to Wednesday’s game. It’s the second battle of a long war,” said Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin.
Pressing forward to counter the Green Archers’ defense did wonders for the Blue Eagles, who are now a win away from the crown
And more adjustments on how to counter the Green Archers inside game will be seen in Game 2.
The Blue Eagles, who converted 39.06 percent of their field goal attempts, drew 12 points from Thirdy Ravena and 11 from the Nieto brothers Matt and Mike.
The Blue Eagles are now close to the crown they last won in 2012.
Ateneo lost the crown to University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in 2006. The Blue Eagles won five championships from 2008 to 2012 via two-game sweeps.
On the other hand, La Salle is looking forward to extending the series to a deciding Game 3 as they hope to claim back-to-back crowns.
Games Today
(at the Araneta Coliseum)
11 a.m. NU vs UE (women Game 1)
4 p.m. La Salle vs Ateneo(men Game 2)