After watching last weekend’s game against UE which we lost, 69-74, the letters D-I-S popped into my mind. Why, you might ask. No, I wasn’t about to diss the team. But because some of the words that begin with DIS could best describe my reaction to the game.

So what words begin with dis?

Disappointing. We dropped a game which we should, by all rights should have won. UE is in rebuilding mode this year after losing the prolific Paul Lee and sharpshooter James Martinez. They had previously won only 1 game, and we beat them handily in the first round.

Dismaying. The inability of the team to mount any effective counterattack after UE had seized the initiative. The boys looked lost, unable to regain their composure after the Warriors went to a 1-2-2 press, which succeeded in discombobulating the brain trust behind the team. We can dish out the press, but can we take it? Apparently not, at least against UE. For sure, the other coaches will have taken note of what and how the Warriors turned the tables on our pressure defense.

Disenchanted. After 8 games, it was expected by most supporters that the Archers would have already developed a rhythm to their game, and a familiarity with each other that would help promote smooth, cohesive Archer ball that we’ve come to expect at this time of the season. No such luck. Or was it really just luck?

Disconnected. At least, that’s what it appeared to be at times, with the Archers coughing up the ball 24 times through errant passes, traveling errors, and fumbles. All of which gifted UE with 17 turnover points while we only had 18. Again, repeating the trend of the last few games, the Archers committed more miscues than the opponents, negating our one of our historical competitive advantages.

Disappeared. The Archers’ confidence, that is. No, our players were on the court for the full 40 minutes. A couple of Archers did go down, Yutien due to a knee injury, and Luigi who was accidentally kneed on the thigh by a fellow Archer.

Disastrous. The loss of composure after the first quarter that allowed UE to grab the lead and keep our team at bay that made the disbelieving diehards wonder if this just a dream.

Distressed. After waiting a year for the team to gain a bit more maturity, the performance against UE looked like a return to the ways of 2 years ago.

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It happens every now and then- the higher ranked and more favoured team beaten by the league-trailing team.

It happened to the FEU Tamaraws this season, after their shocking loss to the UP Fighting Maroons.

Unfortunately this time around, it happened to the DLSU Green Archers, as they were stunned by cellar dweller University of the East Red Warriors, 74-69, in the continuation of the UAAP Season 75 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Paul Zamar and John Noble combined for 35 of the 74-point output of the Red Warriors to help notch for their team its 2nd win in 8 games, and consequently hand the Green Archers its fifth loss this season. With the win, UE now ties UP for the last spot, while DLSU will join UST, who likewise lost to league leader ADMU, in the 4th to 5th slots.

Both teams performed almost evenly in the first quarter. But UE, behind the hot shooting of Noble and Zamar, capitalized on the errors, and poor free throw shooting of DLSU in the second to edge out the latter at halftime, 39-35.

After the half time break, both teams played sloppy basketball, committing turnovers after another. But the Recto-based squad unleashed a 9-0 run at the opening of the final canto, which saw UE’s lead balloon to 11.

The Archers’ attempt to turn the game around went to naught, as they failed to find their offensive groove and struggled in defending against the Red Warriors.

THE SCORES:
UE 74 – Zamar 19, Noble 16, Sumang 7, Santos 7, Duran 7, Casajeros 6, Javier 4, Enguio 4, Tagarda 4, Sumido 0, Flores 0.

DLSU 69 – Torres 12, Webb 11, Revilla 9, Vosotros 9, Marata 5, Atkins 5, Van Opstal 4, Dela Paz 4, Tampus 2, Paredes 2, Villanueva 2, Mendoza 2, Andrada 2
Quarter Scoring: 17-19, 39-35, 56-52, 74-69

The Green Archers look to maintain their position in the top half of the standings as they face the UE Red Warriors tomorrow. Game time is at 1PM.

After another tragic loss to the Adamson Falcons last week, expect the team to “let it all out” against the last-place Warriors, whom they defeated 87-63 in the first round. There is no better cure for the Archers than to win this game convincingly in order to erase the frustration and get them back on track.

We hope to see a free-flowing, up-tempo game by the Archers tomorrow. A lot of online supporters have suggested that the team should sometimes allow their natural basketball instincts to take over rather than rely heavily on set plays. While it is still important to play within a system, players should also be given the liberty to make their own shots. Besides, this style of play has enabled the team to erect huge leads in previous games and last Sunday, come back from a 22-point deficit.

No doubt, our team has the talent and at times they should take it upon themselves to score especially if a play was not executed right. If the opportunity to make a basket is there, don’t hesitate and take it. It also helps build the players confidence. A combination of a deliberate and free-flowing offense can work well for the Archers.

The team cannot afford to lose any more games if they still want to aspire for at least the number 2 position after the eliminations.  We hope that the Archers are all fired up and will pour out their frustrations on the rebuilding Warriors.