The Green Archers opened the 73^rd season of the UAAP with a shocker of sorts – an 80-62 win over the UP Maroons, who this early are fancied to reach the Final 4. The win surprised many, including the tv coverage panel who had expected the more experienced UP team to pull off a win over our young Archers. Instead, the Archers led from the opening tip-off and never trailed as they finished off the stunned Maroons with a flourish.

A Great Start

Coach Dindo started with a relatively “experienced” lineup of Ferdinand, Tolentino, Webb, Atkins and Villanueva. Although first possession went to UP, the Archers served notice that their defense would be a major factor in the game as they stopped UP’s first offensive, then parlayed an interception by Tolentino into a fastbreak which netted Webb foul shots. Webb broke the ice for the season with a free throw, followed by 5 straight points from long range by Atkins 6-0. UP somewhat regained their bearings to close in at 8-7 on a Silungan trey, but Mendoza, in for Ferdinand who racked up 2 quick fouls, scored, 10-7.

Coach Dindo showed where his system differs from our team’s previous mentor, Coach Franz, by substituting early, putting in Andrada, Marata, and Vosotros with half of the quarter gone. Our press was clicking, forcing UP to eat up their shot clock just to get into shooting range, and an Atkins intercept resulted in Andrada being decked on the fastbreak by Padilla, who also attempted to rattle Yutien with some trashtalking which didn’t faze Andrada. Silungan kept it close with another 3 at 14-12, but Atkins, Paredes, and Marata combined to tow the Archers to a 19-13 lead at the end of the first period. The tenacious Archer defense only allowed Silungan to make a field goal.

The Archers threatened to break the game open at 30-21 after Atkins hit his 4^th triple, but UP finished strong as Co and Silungan started hitting their shots from long range. The entry of rookie Saret late in the half breathed some life into the UP game as the  Maroons closed in at 34-31. The Green-and-White team were slightly more accurate from the field in the first half at 32% to 28%, but were outrebounded by the taller Maroons, 20-25. The active defense netted 10 turnovers which we converted into 9 points.

UP stayed within striking distance in the early part of the 3^rd quarter as the Archers started slow, but a Tolentino trey, a side jumper by Villanueva, and a Webb fastbreak gave the Archers their largest lead of the game at 45-35, forcing UP to sue for time. The Maroons last threatened at 54-47 before Andrada converted on a Marata assist to end the quarter at 56-47. Silungan attempted to close off the quarter through an isolation play, but he was closely marked and missed badly.

UP opened the 4^th with a Co basket, but two fastbreaks by dela Paz and Atkins restored a double digit lead which the deflated Maroons were never able to cut down. The Archers ran away from their rivals to win pulling away, in a dominating show of force in the second half where they outscored UP 46-31. Read more…

Winning against the veteran-laden UP Fighting Maroons is one thing, but the way the Green Archers played today was nothing less than spectacular. The team showed a renewed spirit in their initial outing this season and this certainly gives us supporters something to look forward to this season.

Team captain Simon Atkins may have perhaps played his finest game in the UAAP seniors. He waxed hot early in the match and finished with 20 points. He got able support from Maui Villanueva and Sam Marata with 13 and 10 points respectively.

The Green Archers did about everything that we thought they should do in order to win in our pregame post. They outhustled, outrunned and simply shot the lights out from the perimeter. The team dictated the tempo for most of the game and they eventually pulled away at the latter stages of the third period. The Archers forced UP into a running game which frustrated their half-court execution as they committed 21 turnovers. Rookie Mike Silungan and Woody Co paced the Maroons with 17 points apiece.

And to top off a remarkable game, the Green Archers made 65% of their free-throws. Whatever they did prior to this match, I really hope they continue to do it for the whole season. If they show the same vigor in their succeeding matches, the team can definitely compete this year.

Box Scores

DLSU 80 – Atkins 20, Villanueva, 13, Marata 10, Webb 9, Andrada 7, Dela Paz 6, Vosotros 4, Mendoza 4, Ferdinand 4, Tolentino 3, Reyes 0, Paredes 0

UP – Silungan 17, Co 17, Sison 8, Martin Reyes 6, Manuel 5, Saret 2, Padilla 2, Maniego 2, Lopez 2, Mikee Reyes 1, Juruena 0

Quarter Scores 19-13, 34-31, 56-47, 80-62