No tomorrow for La Salle; win at all cost for Ateneo

By Andy Jao - Manila Bulletin - September 25, 2008

“We got to live to fight another day.” This must be the battle cry that the coaches of La Salle are telling their players as they go into Game 2 of the championship series today.

The question is can they extend the series? They have lost three games to the Blue Eagles this year and though the games have been close they have not found a way to break through with a win.

Make no mistake about it, the Archers fought valiantly in Game 2. Coach Franz Pumaren and his staff have done a good job at scouting, preparing, and motivating their players. In Game 1 of the championship series, the Archers were very aggressive with their press, always attacking the man with the ball in the backcourt, forcing them close to the sidelines, and making the Eagles give up a lot of turnovers.

Obviously, they felt that they did not want to play Ateneo on a half court game with the frontline of Rabeh Al Hussaini and Nonoy Baclao being so dominant against all the teams in the UAAP. But in the end it still proved fruitless as Ateneo came up with a 69-61 victory.

What more can La Salle do to extend the series. Will they play more zone? Will they double team or be more aggressive in coming at Ateneo’s prize center --Al Husssaini? Will the Archers play more physical so as to frustrate Ateneo’s smaller backcourt? Only the Archers can answer what game plan they have for Game No. 2.

Suffice it to say they will not be lacking in adrenalin and determination to delay or even snatch what the Eagles are hoping for and that is the coveted championship which every Ateneo diehard fan is hoping for.

On the Eagle’s side, all those wins in the elimination round as well as the playoffs would go to naught if they do not clinch the crown whether it be on Thursday or on Sunday. They have proven to be the dominant team as well as being the most balanced team in the league. Riding the crest of Al Hussaini’s explosive performance this season, the Eagles have shown that they can defend very well led by the defensive player of the year (if there is such an award)-- Nonoy Baclao.

Coach Norman Black knows that he has to win this year. The School and its supporters have undergone a tremendous recruiting program that netted them prize rookie Ryan Buenafe and he has lived up to expectations. Black would like to erase the memories of the 2006 season where he had a championship in his grasp until it was taken away the UST Tigers.

What makes Ateneo click? A lot of people say a deep bench, great scoring from anywhere on the court. I say amen to this observation but I have to add that I have watched them all season and we must give credit to the way they defend. They know how to make adjustments against any team they have played. They play the pick and roll defensively well, they can zone, and they defend the 3-second area as if their lives depended on it.

Franz Pumaren a known winner on this stage against Norman Black, a coach who would like to stamp his mark on Philippine basketball as having won both on the pro and the collegiate level.

They say that a basketball game is still just a game whether it be an elimination round game or a championship game. But no game between La Salle and Ateneo is ever just a game. It is a matter of pride. That is why we all come and watch it. The people involved just leave everything on the floor.

We can expect another spectacular battle fought hard but also with a lot of sportsmanship. That‘s the way these two schools compete and that is why we love them.