The DLSU Green Archers secured their 1st win this season, as the Archers streaked pass the younger the FEU Tamaraws with an end score of 87-76.
There were 5 Archers who posted double figures in points with the team fielding 14 of its 15-man rotation. Player involvement has been the mantra of Coach Topex since the off season and this opening game has somewhat given us a glimpse of how he wants the team to evolve. In his post-game interview, Coach Topex said “I trust them that they know what to do. The season is very young and we will mature. The turnovers of Nelle or Kevin, those are good for me. Because those were errors they made in making their team mates involved.”
Opening salvo, the Archers had 1st crack on the basket with Escandor drawing 1st blood off a pick-and-pass play on the shaded area where he also baited a foul. This allowed the Archers to have 3-0 advantage at the start. Point exchanges then occurred during the rest of the first 20 minutes with Archers maintaining the points cushion during the rest of the 1st half.
In the 2nd half, the Archers had a strong start with the team posting its biggest lead at 19 at one point during the 3rd period. However, it was also during this period where Archers team cohesiveness was tested. Player movement within the court, risky-cross court passes and a series off tempo isolation plays has chopped our lead to a single digit advantage. Nonetheless, the Archers were able to gain their footing back at the last stretch of the 4th period, highlighted by an alley-hoop dunk by Mike Phillips off the dish by Quiambao with 1:09 left at the clock.
Worth highlighting were our forward and guard tandem, Kevin Quiambao and Evan Nelle who both had double-double performance. It was good win for the team but our starting point guard emphasized the teams room for growth, at the post game interview Nelle said “we are out of our element. We committed many mistakes. This is a humbling game for us.”
Up next the Archers will face the Ateneo Blue Eagles this coming Wednesday at 6pm at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Eagles had a rough start with 0-1 record after their defeat from the hands of the UE Warriors last Saturday. Hopefully, our Archers continue our streak and shoot our arrows to secure that 2-0 record.
ANIMO LA SALLE!
