By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - July 24, 2008
One streak will end today as defending champion La Salle and Adamson cross paths while University of the East tries to get back on the winning track in the UAAP basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena.
The Archers will stake their three-game winning run against the Falcons (2-2) at 2 p.m.
After a 79-73 defeat to Ateneo last July 6, the Green Archers have won their last three games to move into a tie for second with Far Eastern University at 3-1.
The Falcons have also won their last two games after dropping their first two matches. Their latest win was a big one – a 66-64 win over the Warriors last Sunday.
The Warriors, toting a 2-2 card, collide with University of the Philippines at 4 p.m.
The previous week, La Salle posted a 85-84 win over University of Santo Tomas before crushing hapless National University, 93-69, through the brilliant efforts of James Mangahas, Bader Malabes, and Peejay Barua.
Though the Archers have the decisive edge in height, La Salle coach Franz Pumaren remains wary of the Falcons.
"I think they are slowly picking up the pieces (Falcons)," said Pumaren. "I think they showed us the real Falcons, what they are capable of as a team so it’s pretty scary but like what I’ve been saying, we don’t have a dominant team, but if we play hard and we play as a team, we have good chances."
Though there are so many La Salle players capable of scoring, JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer remain as the team’s top offensive options.
Adamson coach Leo Austria hopes his charges will play with the same passion and attitude they dished out against the Warriors the last time.
"They (Archers) played the same system as the UE Warriors but the difference is that that La Salle is the defending champion," said Austria. "They (Archers) know how to play in the end game but hopefully mahigitan namin yung pinakita naming laro against UE at mawala sa kanila yung stigma na malakas ang kalaban na team."
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