- Despite the Flu, Collegiate seasons will push through - (philstar) The NCAA and the UAAP yesterday said their respective basketball seasons will push through as scheduled despite the growing incidence of A(H1N1) cases among students of some of the leagues’ member schools.
- Tams Up in Fil-Oil Cup – (inquirer) The FEU Tamaraws survived a furious chase by the University of the East Warriors, 84-78, to capture the 2009 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season MVP Cup before a sizeable crowd Monday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
- Red Lions just did it! (NSL website) San Beda College-Manila roughed up San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 85-69, on June 13 to become the king of the Nike Summer League seniors division jungle in the finals held at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Weekly Rundown 6-20
June 20, 2009
6:40 am
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Part 2: The 2K Decade Recap – 2001
courtesy of AbsolutVerde
2001
Despite their obvious deficiencies in height and depth, the Archers surprised everybody by nailing their third straight men’s basketball championship in 2000, thanks largely to the superb leadership of seniors Mon Jose, Ronald Cuan and Alvin Castro. With the three gone entering Season 64, the team’s fate rested in the hands of Ren Ren Ritualo as he led a rookie-laden group for another run at the title in his final year.
Of the many new faces in the team, there was one who certainly stood out from the rest all season. With his rather-awkward and unorthodox offensive moves, the previously unknown Mac Mac Cardona was certainly the biggest surprise of the year. He wasn’t spared from controversy though as his eligibility was investigated by the board even after the period for questioning player eligibility had lapsed. Eventually, Cardona was cleared to play.
Just like previous year, the Green Archers cruised through the eliminations to finish at 12-2. They easily disposed of the surprising Bulldogs of NU in the Final 4 thus arranging a “dream showdown” with rival Ateneo in the Finals. Prior to this one, the last time these schools clashed for the title was in 1988 which was won by the Blue Eagles. This showdown was extra-sweet for the Archers as this was an opportunity to get some pay back at the same time winning their 4-peat at their rival’s expense.
And they just did that. The Archers won this classic showdown 2-1 for its fourth straight championship. Coach Franz Pumaren described this season as a ‘stormy’ one compared to other seasons. Despite handling a team filled with rookies and with only a few veterans, it was amazing how he managed to bring out the best in each of his players en route to this championship.
Mark Cardona was bestowed the Rookie of the Year Award while Ren Ren Ritualo, playing in his final year in the UAAP, bagged the Most Valuable Player of the Finals award.
This thus capped a brilliant collegiate career for Ritualo as his outstanding contributions in all of his playing years with the Archers led to his jersey number being retired the following year.
Roster
Ren Ren Ritualo
Willy Wilson
Manny Ramos
Migs Gozum
Joseph Yeo
Cholo Villanueva
Mike Cortez
BJ Manalo
Janon Bunyi
Adonis Sta Maria
Mac Mac Cardona
Eric Arejola
Christian Cabatu
Mika Vainio
Michael Gavino
Lady Archers win Fr. Martin Summer Cup
The La Salle Lady Archers defeated defending UAAP champion FEU, 53-46, to complete a 10-game sweep in the women’s division of the 15th Fr. Martin Summer Cup at the San Beda Gym yesterday.
Ma. Eileen Urieta poured in eight of her 17 markers in the final period while Bernadine Yamamoto chipped in 11 points for the Lady Archers.
Our cagebelles also won the Metro Basketball Tournament earlier this year. The team looks steadfast in its goal of winning another championship in the UAAP, something they last experienced in 2002 during their 4-peat run.
The 2K Decade Recap – 2000
If there’s one thing that could best describe the Green Archers’ journey in the 2000s, you could say that it’s been a helluva roller coaster ride. Throughout the past 9 years, the team experienced its fair share of glorious victories and equally agonizing defeats. Despite all the controversies, setbacks and challenges, the Archers played their hearts out every game and gave all of us something to cheer about.
As this decade comes to a close next year, and we look forward to more exciting seasons ahead, let us all take a brief review of the team’s past seasons in the new millennium.
2000
Just as everyone had gotten over the Y2K scare, the Archers were faced with the tough task of achieving a rare three-peat crown, something that was denied to them in the UAAP boardroom back in 1991. The team in fact was not heavily favored to win with the departure of key figures from the previous title squad. All eyes were on the re-emerging Blue Eagles as well as intact teams like FEU, UST and UE.
Defying all pre-season expectations, the Archers soundly thrashed Ateneo during opening day, swept the entire first round and went on to lose only 2 games all season. Not even the brief sidelining of Ren Ren Ritualo due to injury midway in the tournament could stop the green juggernaut.
Thanks to the steady leadership of the veterans such as captain Mon Jose, Alvin Castro and Mac Cuan, along with the exploits of an electrifying rookie named Mike Cortez, the Archers easily dismantled the opposition on the way to their 7th straight championship appearance.
When Ritualo returned from his injury, the Archers could not to be denied this time around.
Up against FEU, the same team that denied them that first grand slam in 1991, the Archers were hell bent on vengeance. Perhaps it was poetic justice – they achieved the three-peat by sweeping the Tams to run away with their third consecutive crown.
The title was the result of a total team effort – something that characterized and defined the team in the seasons to follow.
Roster
Janon Bunyi
Michael Casino
Mike Cortez
Ronald Cuan
Migs Gozum
Mon Jose
Raymond Magsumbol
BJ Manalo
Manny Ramos
Ren Ren Ritualo
Jose Romero
Vincent San Diego
Adonis Sta Maria
Mika Vainio
Willy Wilson
Weekly Rundown 6-13
June 13, 2009
10:27 am
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- They Chose Da Nose – (inquirer.net) Joe Lipa is back yet again in the UAAP, where defending champion Ateneo opens its title defense against host Far Eastern U in the opening weekend of the 72nd edition of the country’s premiere collegiate tournament. The UAAP board on Wednesday unanimously approved Lipa’s return as basketball commissioner, a post the many-time national team mentor also held during the 68th season in 2005. “Joe is very qualified because he has shown that he can handle the job without any hint of bias or dishonor,” UAAP president Anton Montinola of FEU said.
- NCAA Neighbors clash in Nike Finals – (NSL website) San Beda and San Sebastian arranged an all-NCAA finale for the championship after winning their respective semifinal matches of the 2009 Nike Summer League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City last June 11. The Red Lions rallied from a 14-point deficit in the first half to stun Far Eastern University, 74-72, while the Stags erupted in the last 20 minutes to oust their league rival Letran, 82-69. Both squads will play in a one-game title affair on Saturday. Gametime is set at 4 p.m. after FEU and Letran collide for third place at 2:30 p.m.
- UAAP Neighbors clash in Fil-Oil Finals – (inquirer.net)University of the East returns to the finals of the FilOil Flying V Pre-Season MVP Cup, but faces a new foe in Far Eastern University. The Warriors halted San Sebastian’s off-the-formchart run with a 90-84 triumph to clinch the first championship berth, but the Tamaraws spoiled a repeat of last year’s title showdown by tripping the San Beda Red Lions, 64-58, in the Final Four last night at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
- UAAP Fuels New Rules – (philstar.com) The University Athletic Association of the Philippines will apply new rules in resolving ties in Season 72, which unfolds on July 11 at the Araneta Coliseum. The league will also implement rules that give teams a chance to challenge a three-point conversion at any point of the game via instant replay and suspend the possession arrow rule in the last two minutes of the match.
In Search for the King Archer
Our resident game analyst Nel gave his take on the current discussions at archerpride.com. The Green Archers struggled in the pre-season tournaments and it is evident that the team currently lacks someone who will assume the role of carrying the team on his back and be the leader on and off the court.
“The current issues have to be resolved by going back to the system that made the team successful. Team ball has always been the trademark of Archer ball, based on the system put in place by Franz. Gone are the days when a player could single-handedly lift his team to the championship. Archer legend Lim Eng Beng was the last such player. We cannot be successful if we’re too reliant on any one player, because no single player can be on the floor for 40 minutes. Not even the great Kobe Bryant could carry the Lakers by himself.
What we need is for the veterans to accept their responsibility as leaders. The team needs more than one player to be willing to take charge when the going gets tough. So far, it looks like they’re waiting for each other to step up.
The recent spate of blow out losses is one possible indicator that the team has caved in when confronted with a hot shooting opponent or when things go wrong. Their competitive spirit wasn’t all there during such situations. This looks like it’s a crisis of confidence, and all that’s needed is for a player to rally the team and tell them “we must hold the line”. The coach can only do so much, the collective mindset of the team has to be strengthened by the players themselves. Last year, JV and Rico were willing to take the shots, to accept the burden of a loss if they missed during crucial plays. Unfortunately, neither of them is with the team any longer. Any of our current crop of Archers has the talent and the ability to step into that role at any time.
The talent is there, the system is there, all that is needed is for the team to decide to apply what they already know. And for someone to serve as the leader, whether or not that player is a starter, a veteran, or just a rookie. Maybe not a king, maybe just a prince, or better still, any of the Archers on the floor. There are 5 Archers on the floor at any time during the game. That’s a lot of potential “King Archers” right there. Wouldn’t it be better if all of them could be the “King Archer” at different times?”
Green, Junior Archers end preseason in setbacks
Two De La Salle Archer squads wrapped up its preparation for the UAAP on June 10 with the same result.
The Green Archers was battered by NCAA seniors basketball champions San Beda College in the fourth quarter, resulting to a 49-70 blowout in the quarterfinals of the FilOil-Flying V Preseason Manny V. Pangilinan Cup at the FilOil-Flying V Arena.
Peejay Barua was the lone double figure scorer with 13 points.
Pending the reported preparatory league organized by ABS-CBN this month, this ends the tumultuous preseason for the Green Archers as they now focus on the coming UAAP wars.
Earlier in the day at the Far Eastern University Gym, the Junior Archers succumbed in overtime to Jose Rizal University’s hot shooting, 85-88, in the Nike Summer League juniors division battle for third.
DLSZ led in double digits early in the game but was not able to sustain the headway as the Light Bombers found their shooting touch in the second half. The green and white squad had a chance to either win in regulation or extend the game but the attempts did not fall in.
Luigi dela Paz led the Junior Archers with 29 points as Arnold Van Opstal was a rebound short of a double-double with 20 markers. Anton Sevilla scored 11.
DLSZ was second to Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the Filipino-Chinese Basketball League.
Boxscores:
FilOil-Flying V Preseason Manny V. Pangilinan Cup quarterfinals
San Beda 70 – Daniel 15, Marcelo 13, Pascual 11, Tecson 8, Villahermosa 7, Lanete 4, Tirona 4, Gamalinda 4, Soliman 2, Taganas 2, Koga 0, Villanueva 0, Caram 0.
De La Salle 49 – Barua 13, Mangahas 7, Atkins 7, Revilla 6, Villanueva 4, Malabes 4, Webb 3, Marata 2, Bringas 2, Bagatsing 1, Banal 0, Andrada 0, Co 0, Tolentino 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 17-16, 30-26, 48-44, 70-49.
Nike Summer League Juniors battle for third
Jose Rizal 88 – Vigil 29, Lontoc 25, Saret 16, Tanquintic 5, Feguidero 2, Oliveria 2, dela Paz 2, Barranco 2, Garcia 2, Yasay 0, Rodriguez 0, Rosales 0, Ludovice 0.
De La Salle 85 – dela Paz 29, Van Opstal 21, Sevilla 11, Herrera 9, Elorde 6, Fortuna 5, Moran 3, Hernandez 2, Torres 0.
Quarters: 11-20, 32-43, 56-58, 78-78, 88-85.
Father Martin’s Cup: Lady Archers in Finals
La Salle capped its eight-game elimination round sweep with a 74-54 win over arch-rival Ateneo, 74-54, to move one win closer from sweeping the women’s title in the 15th Fr. Martin Summer Cup at the San Beda Gym.
Defending UAAP women’s champion Far Eastern U downed Adamson, 68-64, to barge into the finals where it needs to beat La Salle twice to snatch the crown.
De La Salle out of hump, trumps Letran
The De La Salle Green Archers finally got out of the rabbit hole, thumping Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 94-81, in their final game of the eliminations in the FilOil-Flying V Preseason Manny V. Pangilinan Cup at the FilOil-Flying V Arena.
Playing with intensity never wintessed the past three weeks, the Archers sustained a 10-1 start in the fourth period to break away for good. Joel Tolentino passed off to a sprinting Arvie Bringas to finish a fastbreak, 79-65, with 6:58 to go.
James Mangahas provided the game’s widest margin after receiving a looseball tapped by Simon Atkins into the frontcourt for an easy layup, 92-77, with half a minute to go before the game ended.
This breaks the green and white squad’s losing spell, finishing the elims of this tournament with four wins and three defeats.
Maui Villanueva made the paint his personal dominion, finishing with a team high 16 points. Bader Malabes scored 12, while Mangahas came up with 11 markers.
The Knights were led by the RP Smart Gilas duo of RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra, combining for nearly half of their team’s total output. Jaypee Belencion reached 12 markers as Kevin Alas scored ten.
The two sides were keeping in step of each other before Letran had the first significant run of the game as they led by 10, 36-26, midway of the second period. The Taft-based squad quickly recovered to go ahead at the turn then led by nine, 61-52, with three minutes to go in the third as LA Revilla stole the ball off a fullcourt press for a layup.
The blue and red camp then went to within two from two Jun Alas freethrows, :11.6 before the fourth. However, Joshua Webb had the final say, uncorking a three-pointer in front of the DLSU bench with three seconds to go after receiving the assist from Tolentino.
Bringas then went to work in the fourth, scoring the last two field goals in the key run. From there, it was easy pickings as Letran went outside of the arc attempting desperate threes trying to catch up.
A sidelight of the match occured early when John Foronda emerged from a looseball scramble profusely bleeding from the top of his head. There were instances when he played with his bloodstained jersey, but got to wear a new uniform in the second half.
Boxscores
De La Salle 94 – Villanueva 16, Malabes 12, Mangahas 11, Co 8, Webb 8, Bringas 8, Revilla 7, Bagatsing 6, Atkins 5, Barua 4, Marata 3, Banal 2, Andrada 2, Tolentino 2, Reyes 0.
Letran 81 – Jazul 26, Guevarra 14, Belencion 12, Alas, K. 10, del Rosario 6, Cortes 5, Alas, J. 4, Malabago 3, Taplah 2, Gutilban 1, Foronda 0.
Quarters: 21-23, 42-41, 69-64, 94-81.
Who wants to be a Game Reporter this coming UAAP?
How would you like to have a close look at Archer basketball this UAAP Season? To watch all the games, and be able to interview the players and coaches on the floor and in the locker room?
GreenArchers.ph is looking for an enthusiastic, committed individual to join our team as a game reporter. The game reporter will be at all the games live, and will conduct interviews, dugout reports and breakdowns after each game. To facilitate access to the games and to the Archers, game reporter will be issued an official Press ID which entitles him/her to enter all game venues, cover the games from the floor, and enter the locker room before and after the game.
Our ideal game reporter will have a good knowledge of basketball, can write well, and will be available to watch ALL the games. Previous journalistic experience will be an advantage. All we can offer is the Press ID, access to the coaches and players, and the opportunity for your articles to be read online by thousands of La Sallians here and abroad.
Please attach a short resume indicating your skills and experience, together with a sample of your written works. This is a unique opportunity to see Archer ball up-close, and only one will be our Game Reporter.
Those interested may email us your requirements as well as your contact information at greenarchersph@yahoo.com
